Knowing Is Loving!

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Sir 48:1-4;9-11; Mt 17:9,10-13

Today’s Gospel invites us to possess true knowledge of Jesus in order to love him more fully. 

The Gospel conversation takes place when Jesus, along with his disciples, is coming down Mount Tabor after his transfiguration. 

The disciples just witnessed Elijah talking to Jesus. They look confused. If Elijah was meant to come first, he did not. Only Jesus came first, and we just saw Elijah. That is the reason they ask the question. 

But Jesus clarifies that the ‘Elijah’ they refer to is John the Baptist. Having recognized the incredible resemblance in the mission and lifestyle of both Elijah and John, Jesus helps his disciples understand that John the Baptist is the ‘Elijah.’

However, the Scribes were misleading people with their teaching. If they had mastery over the scriptures, how did they miss John the Baptist and the striking resemblance his ministry bore to that of Elijah? If they did not know, why would they mislead people with their half-knowledge?

The Scribes looked for a terrible reformer in Elijah. But when John came, embracing suffering, they were clueless about his identity as Jesus’ forerunner. 

Just as they were confused about the identity of John the Baptist, they could not understand Jesus. As a result, they could not see Jesus as the Messiah. 

Contrary to their expectations, Jesus himself would not be the ‘triumphant Messiah’ but the ‘suffering Messiah.’

It is clear that the Scribes were misleading people with their half-baked knowledge. They took advantage of their position as interpreters of the Scriptures and misinterpreted the texts. 

In this context, Jesus recommends real knowing. Only authentic knowledge of Christ can help us love him better. Such knowledge that results in love will help us represent Christ rightly and follow him sincerely. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar