Gospel (Mt 17:10-13)

The disciples asked Jesus, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He replied, “Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Commentary

Once again our Lord tries to clarify the authentic meaning of the prophecies and announcements in the Old Law, as the authentic interpreter of the Word of God. Therefore we need to pay close attention to what he says, especially if he begins the sentence with the expression “but I tell you.” For example, in the Sermon on the Mount he does so six times in the same chapter (cf. Mt 5:22.28.32.34.39.44).

When we read the Holy Gospels, in our personal reading or prayer, we need to always take into account the internal coherence of the holy books. That is to say, it is always useful to consider other parallel passages. Thus in chapter 13, as a conclusion to the parables about the Kingdom, Saint Matthew records these words of our Lord: “Have you understood all this?” (Mt 13:51). And right after this, he says that “every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Let us not hesitate to turn to Jesus and ask him to explain to us what we do not understand. Saint Josemaría encouraged us to do so, following the example of the apostles: “Domine, edissere nobis parabolam. Lord, explain the parable to us” (Christ is Passing By, no. 2). Explain to us what we do not understand in the texts we read or in the indications given to us by those in authority in the Church. Thus we will always be able to respond, like our Mother the Virgin Mary, “be it done unto me according to your word” (Lk 1:38).