MT 17:9A, 10-13
In today’s Gospel, we see how the disciples faced a daily struggle of seeing the importance of those that had somehow impacted their lives. They were confused as to how Elijah had already come, but little did they know that they were blind and had not seen him for who he was. Just as the disciples struggled with realizing the importance of people in their lives, we too sometimes find ourselves faced with the same dilemma. We too sometimes take those who impact our lives for granted and do not see their effect until they are gone. This is like Jesus telling the disciples that the Son of Man will suffer at their hands, but before Him will come someone first. They thought this to be Elijah, but in front of their eyes he had already come and gone. Rather, it was John the Baptist who was coming to prepare the way for the Lord, and that moment was when the disciples finally understood.
The disciples weren’t doubtful but confused, just like many of us do not doubt God but may be confused with some aspects of our own faith lives. Just as Elijah and John the Baptist came before Our Savior, so too does the Season of Advent come before Christmas to prepare the way for the Lord’s birth. As the season of Advent begins and continues, we can more closely examine our relationship with God and not only better ourselves but also our relationship with Him. We should wait in anticipation and thank those disciples and prophets that have come before us to clear and prepare the path of the Lord.