Advent: The Era of Elijah

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Saturday, 2nd Week of Advent, Year B, December 12th, 2020

Texts: Sir. 48:1-4.9-11b; Ps. 80:2-3.15-16.18-19; Matt. 17:10-13

Elijah is an important figure of Advent season. He is to come as an herald of  our Lord. It is said of him thus: "you who are ready at the appointed, it is written, to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob." In Elijah, we see what Advent is all about: it is a period to calm the wrath of God, it is a period to reconcile with God and with one another, and it is a period of awaiting restoration from God. The wrath of God is calmed by turning away from sin and evil, by rejecting the Devil and his works. When we are remorseful for our sins, repent from them and do penance for them, the wrath of God is pacified and calmed.

We reconcile with God when we are ready to do his will. We reconcile with one another when we are ready to forgive one another, when we are ready to let go anger, grudges and hatred. Restoration comes with the coming of the saviour, and that is what we await. After we have settled our differences with God and with one another during the Advent, God will restore us. God restores us by granting us his pardon and favours.

 The importance of the coming of Elijah lies in what it means: period of repentance, penance, reconciliation and awaiting of restoration. If the coming of Jesus Christ is going to have meaning to us, we must pass through the era of Elijah. 

The gospel reading reminds us of the link between Elijah and Jesus Christ. If we do not recognize Elijah, we will not recognize Jesus Christ too. Jesus Christ says, "Elijah does come, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands." To recognize Elijah is to allow him to make impact on our lives, that is, we must have experienced repentance, penance, reconciliation and hope of restoration. When Elijah has made impact on our lives, then our eyes will be open to recognize and welcome Jesus Christ; we must pass through Elijah to Jesus Christ.

We are called today to genuinely repent, to be remorseful for our sins, to do penance for the sins, to reconcile with God and with one another so as to be restored when the Lord comes.

Lord our God, lead us to genuine repentance so as to receive your pardon and favours. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke