Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
In today’s gospel passage, the disciples are beginning to realize who Jesus is, that he is the Messiah. And so they ask him about Elijah, who was supposed to come first. Jesus assures them that Elijah did come first, but that “they” did not recognize him and did with him whatever they pleased. Once he says this, we begin to realize that he is speaking of John the Baptist, who was sent ahead of Jesus to prepare the hearts of the people for his coming. And of course, John did face opposition and was eventually killed for speaking the truth.
Then Jesus tells the disciples that the Son of Man will suffer in the same way at the hands of his opponents. And so the cross of Jesus appears before us even in the midst of the joys of Advent and Christmas. The sorrow we feel amid this joy is for our own sinfulness and hardness of heart, which makes the cross necessary. But even in the cross we find joy, because we see in the cross the love of God for us that gives us His only begotten son, the love that leads him through the cross to the resurrection for the salvation of us all. Let the love of God touch your hearts and open them to the Joys of our Redemption.
Reflection by Fr. Aquinas Keusenkothen, OSB
Posted in Articles for Advent, Daily Reflections