Prepare the Way of the Lord ~reflex on Matt. 17:9-13

Jesus and his disciples are “coming down from the mountain” after a momentous, never-before-seen, never-to-be-repeated event: the Transfiguration of Jesus, which reveals his Divinity, and in which he is seen conversing with the two greatest figures of the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah. With this bright vision vividly in their minds, they ask about whether Elijah must come before the Messiah. Jesus says he has already come, but was not recognized.

So how did the disciples understand Jesus’ comments about Elijah to refer to John the Baptist?

Part of the association is in the mission both prophets had: to prepare the way of the Lord! Elijah was the holiest of prophets to the Chosen People in the Old Testament, and it was prophesied that he would appear before the coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5). John is a kind of “new Elijah” who is preparing for the immediate appearance of the Lord in the New Testament, and his father said he would be called “the prophet of the Most High…to go before the Lord to prepare his way” (Luke 1:76-79). Jesus says clearly in another place, “(John) is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send my messenger before you…(to) prepare the way before you” (Luke 7:24-27).

How did John the Baptist help prepare the way? By preaching the nearness of the Kingdom of God, and the dawning of new Light on earth, and a message of repentance in order to be ready for the coming of a Savior who would wipe away sins. The Lord comes without our effort, but John insists that we must work to repent in order to be worthy of His coming!

With Advent nearing its end and the wonderful celebration of the Coming of Christ upon us, have we found time to be still and prepare our own hearts for this coming? When John baptized Jesus, the voice of the Father was heard to say, “This is my beloved Son…listen to him.” While Elijah was with Jesus during the Transfiguration, the voice of the Father repeats the same words, “This is my beloved…listen to him.” Today, let’s pray for the openness to be still and listen to what Jesus is asking each of us to do to be ready for his gentle coming at Christmas.