Who Do You Say

And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples also were with him: and he asked them, saying: Whom do the people say that I am? But they answered, and said: John the Baptist; but some say Elias; and others say that one of the former prophets is risen again. And he said to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answering, said: The Christ of God.

But he strictly charging them, commanded they should tell this to no man. Saying: The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the ancients and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day rise again.
Luke 9:18-22 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father I think many of us ask this question of those in our life. Not so much in the same context but in these words, "What do they think of me," type of question. For us in our uncertainty we want to be sure. Not so with your Son Jesus, he knew what they thought. Isn't it in this very question that you rebuke us too. It is what you think of us that matters the most and not what those around think. We all suffer for our faith, often rejected and some killed out of love for your Son. Dear Father all I ask this day is strength to be what you want me to be. May I seek you praise and not from those who are around me. May you be first in thought and deed. Amen

Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

Advent Prayer

God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Sirach 48:1

Reflection:
Elijah is a powerful figure in the Old Testament, and John the Baptist was referred to him by Jesus as Elijah that came before him. Elijah's name means God. Yet in this sense Jesus meant that John the Baptist was a powerful prophet as close to God as anyone can get. And it is quite possible with God that John the Baptist was Elijah.

His words scorched the ears of those who listened to him preach repentance. Make way for the Lord. God in his goodness was paving the way for His Son, to show us the truth. He tried to bring about faithfulness in us and we didn't come about.

God tries in many ways to bring us closer to him, to the point of coming to us as a man, a powerful prophet. He even came to us in His Son, because when we see the Son we see God. If you ever get to see Veronica's Veil you will see not only Jesus but God too, for he is the image of his Father.