December 11, 2010, Second Saturday of Advent, Year A

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

When I was pregnant with each of my children, I would have the strangest dreams and upon waking would wonder, “What was THAT all about?” That is how I feel about today’s readings.

What are the scriptures saying to YOU today? I am at a loss.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

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.

Psalm 80:1-3,14-16,18-19

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,

   you who lead Joseph like a flock!

You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth

   before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.

Stir up your might, and come to save us!

Restore us, O God;

   let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Turn again, O God of hosts;

   look down from heaven, and see;

have regard for this vine,

   the stock that your right hand planted.

They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down;

   may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance.

Then we will never turn back from you;

   give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;

   let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Matthew 17:9-13

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘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.

The readings are from the website below, with tiny adjustments to make the text more inclusive.

http://bible.oremus.org/