Second Saturday of Advent
Gospel: Mt. 17:9a, 10-13
ADVENT! COME COME COME! It is said that there are three comings in Advent: God comes to us; God comes into us and God comes against us! (Bernard of Clairaux). And this cycle of readings (C) is often called the ADVENT OF THE PROPHETS: The Son of Man, John the Baptist (twice) and Elijah, and on the last Sunday, Mary (Miriam) and Elizabeth.
And today we get a double dose of the older prophets: Elijah and John the Baptist, along with the Son of Man. All are described in terms of fire, flaming words, whirlwinds, what puts an end to things—fast and --furiously–or as the effect of turning our hearts back to essentials, core truths and primal relationships of fathers to sons and mothers to daughters. We have two prophets shouting at us. Even the psalm refrain sings: “Make us return to you, let us see your face. Prepare the way, all flesh will see the presence of our saving God.”
There is a story that helps set the tone for our reflection and response to the Word of God. Once upon a time a Master started digging a ditch (some thought it was to be a grave to bury someone). One of the disciples said: Here, let me help you. Digging a grave was seen to be a corporal work of mercy. They went at it. After while the disciple asked: how deep should it be? How far down? Will it be a shallow grave, just enough so the animals and birds won’t get at the corpse or deeper? There was no answer. They got down to 3-4 feet. The master spoke—you have to dig as deep as is needed to be worthy of the person to be buried. It’s different for each person. The disciple asked: Master how deep do you plan on being buried when you die? He answered: I won’t be buried! I plan on burning out in fire, with nothing left to bury. You?
Today is the feast of John of the Cross, beloved friend of Teresa of Avila (most of the words attributed to either of them, belong to both of them). It is said that intimacy with God demands that our clay hearts, minds and souls, be kindled with fire, so we can begin by smoldering, then break out flaming and roaring, reaching a steady degree of heat. What sparks such a flame? The Word of God put into practice—the Word becoming justice, compassion, and truth. The Word becoming fierce and bright in our flesh.
In the gospel the disciples have just come down from the mountain of the transfiguration (getting a glimpse, seeing through Jesus’ flesh to the light and face of God, who he truly is!) They ask Jesus: why do the scribes say Elijah must come first—go before the face of the Lord and restore all things? Jesus replies: “He’s already come but no one recognized him! And they did to him whatever they pleased (imprisoned him and beheaded him). So also, the Son of Man, (the Human One) will suffer at their hands.”
And so it is with us called to be prophets, to go before the face of God preparing the way. We are to be transfigured so others can see through us and catch a glimpse of God. And we are to learn how to see though and into everyone—being inspirited, and inspired by the fires of acceptance, compassion, love and justice to see God smoldering in each and every person who is waiting to be stoked into flaming, living life fully human, sparked by the Spirit of the Living God within us. The energy of Incarnation is burning in us.
All during Advent especially, we are being reminded. God became flesh among us and dwells in us and with us in our communities, so that we can become like God with everyone we dwell with and interact with. We end with another short story from the early Church. A young disciple asked her older guide: How am I to live and be holy? I have prayed and studied and have sought to obey all the teachings, to be compassionate and just, striving to live in communion with others. What else can I do? And her guide smiled at her and said: “Burn, burn out! Become all fire! Be contagious so that all around you catch yomeur fire! Let us come true—and stand with, stand for and stand against others, with our God coming again to us. Let us burn! Amen.
Megan McKenna is an author, theologian, storyteller and lecturer.
