Saturday of the Second week of Advent

Book of Sirach 48:1-4.9-11.
Till like a fire there appeared the prophet whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered, in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By God's word he shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, ELIJAH! Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind, in a chariot with fiery horses.
You are destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD, To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to reestablish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you before he dies,

Psalms 80(79):2ac-3b.15-16.18-19.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken.
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
Look down from heaven, and see:
Take care of this vine,

And protect what your right hand has planted
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
With the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
Give us new life, and we will call upon your name.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 17:10-13.
Then the disciples asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Commentary of the day : Saint John Damascene
«He will be filled with the Holy Spirit...; he will go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah» (Lc 1,15.17)

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