Homily for December 14, 2019

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus identified John the Baptist with the prophet Elijah, whose return was anticipated just before the emergence of the long-awaited Savior. Jesus said of John the Baptist, that “they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.”

John’s fate would soon become the fate of Jesus Himself. As Jesus said, “So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Both John and Jesus proclaimed the ideals of God’s kingdom and both of them suffered greatly for doing so. Even as we draw nearer to celebrating the birth of Jesus, we are being reminded of the Cross that awaited this Child.

At Christmas, we celebrate the Good News that God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son. Today’s Gospel passage reminds us that God’s giving was a giving-unto-death, a giving that cost no less than everything.

At this time of the year, we pray for this same generosity, so that we may give to others what God has given to us. +