The Story Of How God Used Prophet Elijah

 

Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Saturday of 2nd Week of Advent B, December 16th, 2023
Texts: Sirach 48:1-4.9-11; Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19; Matthew 17:10-13 

Today’s first reading is the story of how God used prophet Elijah. God used him mightily that he became a hero among his people. God manifested His will through prophet Elijah because of his commitment to God’s will. Elijah brought famine upon the people for their disobedience to God’s commandments. He says, “By the word of the  Lord he shut up the heavens, and also three times brought down fire.” He did not shut the heavens by his own word but the word of God. Doing things by the word of God means he aligned himself with the will of God.  

Prophet Elijah left us the legacy to align our will with the will of God. This happens when we live our lives according to the word of God. When we do this, our prayers will not go unanswered. Like Elijah, when we pray heaven we hear us and earth will shake. Our actions will also be marked with the glory of God. Hence, it is said about Elijah thus: “How glorious you were, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has the right to boast which you have?” 

Elijah was not only great because of wondrous deeds

The commitment of Elijah was so great that God extended his assignment to the future. He was not only great because of wondrous deeds but also because of continuation of his work to the future. We read, “You who are ready at the appointed time, 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.”

What was the Elijah coming to do? We learn in the first reading that he was coming to calm the wrath of God. Jesus Christ tells us he was to restore all things. He puts it thus: “Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things”. Jesus Christ tells us in the gospel reading that the coming of Elijah was fulfilled in John the Baptist. Elijah did not also die a natural death, he was take up by whirlwind. We read, “You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire”. 

Prayer 

May the splendour of your glory dawn in our hearts, we pray, almighty God, that all shadows of the night may be scattered and we may be shown to be children of light by the advent of your Only Begotten Son. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke