Listening with the "Ear" of our Hearts
Nothing like a great entrance!
Through words of the prophets we learn Elijah was destined to come and put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, he was destined to re-establish the tribes of Jacob. He is the hero the people are waiting for. The role of the returned Elijah was to pave the way for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus points out that Elijah had returned in spirit in the person of John the Baptist. But some people did not recognize him and rather than welcome him, they destroyed him.
Jesus’ disciples did not understand this prophecy. They asked Him if Elijah would return to earth in the future. Jesus told them that yes, Elijah would return. However, Jesus continues by saying that Elijah already had come to the earth. However, no one recognized him. Elijah was rejected by the people.
Advent is the time when we again wait and watch for Elijah, for angels, for the star and for the Savior of the world. But Jesus came disguised as a poor child, not as a mighty king as was expected. Thus He was recognized only by the most observant.
Through words of the prophets we learn Elijah was destined to come and put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, he was destined to re-establish the tribes of Jacob. He is the hero the people are waiting for. The role of the returned Elijah was to pave the way for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus points out that Elijah had returned in spirit in the person of John the Baptist. But some people did not recognize him and rather than welcome him, they destroyed him.
Jesus’ disciples did not understand this prophecy. They asked Him if Elijah would return to earth in the future. Jesus told them that yes, Elijah would return. However, Jesus continues by saying that Elijah already had come to the earth. However, no one recognized him. Elijah was rejected by the people.
Advent is the time when we again wait and watch for Elijah, for angels, for the star and for the Savior of the world. But Jesus came disguised as a poor child, not as a mighty king as was expected. Thus He was recognized only by the most observant.
We must be those observant ones! Read the scripture! Sit quietly! And look for the Savior in the most unlikely places-in the poor, in our relatives, in ourselves!
Let us see ourselves in the role of John the Baptist, sharing with him the responsibility of preparing the way for Jesus to come into people’s lives. And, like John and as disciples of Jesus, we too can expect to have to face challenges, opposition and perhaps hardships.
This exactly what John the Baptist did. The First Reading from the book of Sirach is a tribute to Elijah but much of it can be applied to John the Baptist. At times, we also do not understand what Jesus is saying to us. At times, it may be difficult for us to hear Jesus’ voice. The busyness and noise in our lives can make us deaf to what Jesus may be saying to us.
Let us see ourselves in the role of John the Baptist, sharing with him the responsibility of preparing the way for Jesus to come into people’s lives. And, like John and as disciples of Jesus, we too can expect to have to face challenges, opposition and perhaps hardships.
This exactly what John the Baptist did. The First Reading from the book of Sirach is a tribute to Elijah but much of it can be applied to John the Baptist. At times, we also do not understand what Jesus is saying to us. At times, it may be difficult for us to hear Jesus’ voice. The busyness and noise in our lives can make us deaf to what Jesus may be saying to us.
Today may we open our ears, our minds and our hearts and may we listen attentively for Jesus’ voice! Jesus will speak. But will we listen? Today, may we listen with the “ear" of our hearts.
Author: Jose Aquino, Theology Department
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