Nobody loves a prophet

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For 15 December 2007, Saturday of Second week of Advent, based on Sirach 48:1-4,9-11, Matthew 17:9a,10-13

Sirach 48:1-4,9-11

Then Elijah arose, a prophet like fire,
and his word burned like a torch.
He brought a famine upon them,
and by his zeal he made them few in number.
By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens,
and also three times brought down fire.
How glorious you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken up by a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with horses of fire.
At the appointed time, it is written, you are destined
to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury,
to turn the hearts of parents to their children,
and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Happy are those who saw you
and were adorned with your love!
For we also shall surely live.

Matthew 17:9a,10-13

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered his disciples, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ And the disciples asked him, ‘Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ He replied, ‘Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.


Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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About Hugh Burns OP

Hugh is a Dominican priest who has preached widely throughout the United States, the Carribean and Latin America. He is fluent in Spanish. His renewals and retreats have attracted large numbers of people seeking to deepen their faith. His programs have proven effective for Catholics seeking to return to the Church. His commentaries are also heard on National Public Radio and New York public stations.