Daily Mass Readings – Saturday, 16 December 2028

1 And Elias the prophet stood up, as a fire, and his word burnt like a torch.

2 He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their envy, were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord.

3 By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and he brought down fire from heaven thrice.

4 Thus was Elias magnified in his wondrous works. And who can glory like to thee?

9 Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot of fiery horses.

10 Who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

11 Blessed are they that saw thee, and were honoured with thy friendship.

R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

2ac Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: Thou that sittest upon the cherubims, shine forth

3b Stir up thy might.

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

15 Turn again, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard:

16 And perfect the same which thy right hand hath planted: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.

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

18 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.

19 And we depart not from thee, thou shalt quicken us: and we will call upon thy name.

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

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

4, 6 Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.

10 And his disciples asked him, saying: Why then do the scribes say that Elias must come first?

11 But he answering, said to them: Elias indeed shall come, and restore all things.

12 But I say to you, that Elias is already come, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they had a mind. So also the Son of man shall suffer from them.

13 Then the disciples understood, that he had spoken to them of John the Baptist.

Elijah appears as a prophet whose word burns like a torch. His mission is not destruction for its own sake, but a return to the Lord: to reconcile hearts, restore what has been broken, and prepare God’s people for his visitation. The psalm gives voice to that same longing: “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.” Conversion begins when we stop turning away and allow God to look upon us, revive us, and make us fruitful again.

Jesus identifies John the Baptist with Elijah, yet reveals that the promised restoration comes through a messenger who is rejected and through the Son of Man who will suffer. God’s work may be unmistakable, like fire, while still being misunderstood by those who refuse its call. The path prepared for the Lord therefore passes through repentance, humility, and fidelity amid suffering. We can prepare that path in ordinary ways: receiving correction, repairing a wounded relationship, and choosing obedience when God’s word unsettles us. The Lord who asks us to turn toward him is already working to restore us.

Lord God, turn our hearts toward you and let us see your face. Kindle in us the courage of your prophets, so that we may receive your word even when it challenges our habits and pride. Through Jesus, your suffering Son, teach us to recognize your saving work in humility and faithfulness. Restore what sin has damaged within us, reconcile us with those from whom we are divided, and make our lives a clear path for your coming. Keep us close to you, revive us by your grace, and help us answer your call with willing hearts. Amen.