God reveal Himself in “a light silent sound”
Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. (cf. Mt. 17:12)
It is extremely important to be able to recognize true greatness. The Lord Jesus said that among those born of women there was no greater than John the Baptist (cf. Mt. 11:11). John the Baptist was a great man, and yet he was not recognized as such by the whole nation.
The biblical Sirach announced the coming of Elijah, sent “to turn back the hearts of parents toward their children, and to re-establish the tribes of Israel” (cf. Sir 48:10). However, in the social dimension, this has not happened! John was eventually killed by the anger of Herodias, the king's concubine, and condemned to death by the whim of a young girl! This was a farce! But then the same thing will happen with the Son of Man, he will be condemned to a shameful death along with the thieves, not restoring all Israel at all.
It turns out that God, not through spectacular events, "turns the hearts of the fathers to their sons,” but through the witness that is perceptible to those who seek him. We have to bend down over to the word of God, just like then we had to bend over the manger to admire the great Gift of God.
We know from the story of Elijah the great, spectacular, miraculous event of the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. The Prophet's triumph was very short-lived. Actually, immediately after that, feeling defeated, he had to flee outside Israel. In Horeb, Elijah understood that God does not reveal Himself in power, great thunder, or a terrifying earthquake, but in " a light silent sound.” (cf.1 Kings 19:12).
The Jews wanted a sign from Jesus, they probably wanted a miraculous revelation of His power in social action. However, he did not give them such a sign and did not want to give it. Faith requires humble discernment in discerning true greatness and goodness.
The Messiah walked along the path prepared by Elijah. The coming of God always surprises, He always comes not when we wish it and not as we would like it to be. Cultivating images and desires within ourselves is not the best preparation for the coming of the Lord. It can even build obstacles. He comes differently!
So, what to do? Simple recommendations follow:
• “Repent, and believe in the gospel,” without succumbing to your own imaginations (Mk 1:15)
• Open yourself to the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Cor. 12:1-31)
• Recognize spirits - are they from the Lord? (1 Tim 4:1)
• Be patient, persevere regardless of what is happening, because wars, suffering, cataclysms must come (cf. Romans 5:3-5)
• Do not to be fooled by strange teachings, (cf. Heb. 13:9)
• Love one another and even love enemies (cf. Mt. 5:43:48)
• Trust in the Lord completely, not to devise a defense in advance, but to let the Holy Spirit speak through us. (Mk 13:11)
These are the practical guidelines we find in the Gospel. They do not say "do this and this and then you will get it." They are indications relating to the spiritual attitude, the attitude of the disciple and at the same time a child of God who does not yet see, does not know the shape of the Lord's intention, but lives with trust, knowing that the Lord will give him the best, better than what it can think of itself.
Unconditional trust is very important: “Not as I want, but as You, Lord. Let it be. Not mine, but your will… let me discern it, let me know what Your will is.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george