From: Matthew 17:9a, 10-13
The Transfiguration (Continuation)
[9] And as they were coming down the mountains, [10] (And) the disciples
asked Him (Jesus), “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come?” [11]
He replied, “Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things; [12] but I tell you
that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him what-
ever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” [13] Then
the disciples understood that He was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
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Commentary:
10-13. Malachi 4:5 (3:23 in the Hebrew) speaks of the coming of Elijah the pro-
phet before “the great and terrible day of the Lord”, the Judgment Day. When
Jesus says that Elijah has already come, He is referring to St. John the Baptist,
whose mission it was to prepare the way for the First Coming of the Lord, the
same as Elijah will have to do prior to His last coming. The scribes failed to
grasp the meaning of the prophecy of Malachi; they thought it referred simply
to the coming of the Messiah, the First Coming of Christ.
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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible by Darton, Longman & Todd
Readings at Mass
Liturgical Colour: Violet.
| First reading |
| Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12 © |
The prophet Elijah arose like a fire,
his word flaring like a torch.
It was he who brought famine on the people,
and who decimated them in his zeal.
By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens,
he also, three times, brought down fire.
How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah!
Has anyone reason to boast as you have?
Taken up in the whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses;
designated in the prophecies of doom
to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks,
to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children,
and to restore the tribes of Jacob,
Happy shall they be who see you,
and those who have fallen asleep in love.
| Responsorial Psalm |
| Psalm 79(80):2-3,15-16,18-19 © |
Lord of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hear us,
shine forth from your cherubim throne.
O Lord, rouse up your might,
O Lord, come to our help.
Lord of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
God of hosts, turn again, we implore,
look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it,
the vine your right hand has planted.
Lord of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
May your hand be on the man you have chosen,
the man you have given your strength.
And we shall never forsake you again;
give us life that we may call upon your name.
Lord of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
Alleluia, alleluia!
The day of the Lord is near;
Look, he comes to save us.
Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia!
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight,
and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.
Alleluia!
| Gospel |
| Matthew 17:10-13 © |
As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.