Fire is something that has both positive and negative attributes. When used in a controlled environment, fire can cook food, keep a camper warm in the woods, and can light up a dark place. But when uncontrolled, it can cause unbearable heat, burn the skin, and destroy life and property.

A hurtful word said to us can sometimes be like fire. It can break our heart, pierce our soul, or depress our spirit. But when we shift our perspective, it can also inspire us to do better, change our ways, or simply have the courage to forgive and move on. We might be burned by people’s words, but we can let the scars be a testimony of healing and love.

Friend, what are the torches in your life that give off fire that hurt? Do you let them burn you? Or do you let them make you a stronger person? Like Elijah described in today’s reading, may the burning fire of God’s spirit renew us, bless us, and make us His unforgettable instruments of light in this world.

Kring Talladen (kringtalladen@gmail.com)

reflect

Do your words bless, or do they hurt others? Aim to speak more words of goodness and affirmation today. Notice the big difference in you and others.

Dear Father, may my words be like fire that burns in love for You and for Your people. Amen.

Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr, pray for us.

In the Jewish tradition, Elijah is a symbol of the resurrection, as he is taken to heaven by a fiery chariot before he dies. He is a symbol of hope—that there is something more beyond death. Jesus is the source of hope for Christians. His resurrection is not only a sign of hope but also the pattern for our lives. Let us follow the example of Jesus’ life.

¹ In those days, like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah whose words were as a flaming furnace. ² Their staff of bread he shattered, in his zeal he reduced them to straits; ³ by the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire. ⁴ How awesome are you, Elijah! Whose glory is equal to yours? ⁹ You were taken aloft in a whirlwind, in a chariot with fiery horses. ¹⁰ You are destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob. ¹¹ Blessed is he who shall have seen you and who falls asleep in your friendship.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 80:2, 3, 15-16, 18-19

R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

² O shepherd of Israel, hearken. From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. ³ Rouse your power. (R) ¹⁵ Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, ¹⁶ and protect what your right hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong. (R) ¹⁸ May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. ¹⁹ Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 17:9, 10-13

Many people tried to kill Elijah and the other prophets. Jesus, as a prophet, knows that such a fate awaited Him as a result of His ministry of the Gospel. Maybe persecution and death await us Christians too—who knows? If the Lord asks us to do something for Him, let’s do our best to do it.

Gospel Acclamation

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁹ As they were coming down from the mountain, ¹⁰ the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” ¹¹ He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; ¹² but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Read the Bible in one year! Read ECCLESIASTES 1 - 4 today.

In today’s readings, the name of the prophet Elijah takes a prominent role. In the First Reading, Sirach summarizes the prophetic career of Elijah, culminating in his being “taken up by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire.”

In the Gospel, Jesus affirmed the importance of Elijah, presenting him as a worthy predecessor to the mission and martyrdom of John the Baptist. In the mountain of the Transfiguration, Elijah stood beside the glorified Jesus together with Moses, signifying the law and the prophets.

Interestingly, I read that in many ancient Jewish households, it was said that they reserve a seat at their dinner table for the spirit of the prophet Elijah. I’m not sure if modern Jewish households still hold the pious practice. While I don’t advocate continuing the practice, I believe that there should be an “Elijah” in every modern-day Christian household. By “Elijah,” I mean “a prophetic culture” that proclaims to every member of a household the things of God—what is true, good, and beautiful.

In what concrete ways can we do this in our households?

First, know the faith. Parents, is the Word of God being heard in your household? Before giving them a cell phone, parents should make sure that their children own a Bible. If you are a Catholic household, the Catechism of the Catholic Church should be present in your family library.

Secondly, nourish your faith, especially through the Eucharist. Elijah is famous for being revived from suicidal discouragement (see 1 Kings 19:7-15) by an angel who presented him with bread that came from heaven—a premonition of the Eucharist from any Fathers of the Church.

Thirdly, share the faith. Faith may be personal, but it is not private. Faith is never meant to be hoarded. Faith is not a private hobby. Faith is meant to be a tool for social transformation. 

Fr. Joel Jason

Reflection question

Every baptized person is called to be a prophet. Have you heeded the call?

Embolden me, Lord, to always be ready to speak Your truth. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________