As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. (Mt 17:9a, 10-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121623.cfm
Each gospel writer handles the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist in a different way. Today’s gospel points out that the sufferings of John the Baptist foreshadow the sufferings of Jesus. As we enter into the final week of Advent, Colombia tonight begins the Christmas Novena, la Novena de Aguinaldos, which culminates on Christmas Eve.
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Advent, December 16
