Restore Us

Today’s Gospel Text:  And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead." 10 And the disciples asked him, "Then why do the scribes say that first Eli'jah must come?" 11 He replied, "Eli'jah does come, and he is to restore all things; 12 but I tell you that Eli'jah 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." 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Matt 17:9a 10-13

Reflection: If a person is murdered then it is difficult to restore things to the family members; for you cannot substitute life with anything else. Yet the best substitute that humans seem have found is material compensation, by way monetary cover or insurance.

There is no real substitute for life; for money itself cannot buy life.

Yet what use is that life which is degraded and the things of life measured in terms of money, wealth and possessions? It is as if one has lost the meaning of life and therefore will in all probability fail to live ones life to the fullest as a steward of sustaining life.

Since we are fallen creature and think in terms of self centered sinful and material ways God constantly sends us his messengers to remind us of our true worth and value.

These messengers no longer carry an new innovative message but a message that is already revealed once and for all through Christ Jesus and which may be proclaimed innovatively by them.  . 

Therefore the crux of all restoration is Jesus Christ and his word and that is what John the Baptist was sent for; to restore things so that it would be a restoration of preparation for the actual restoration that would be brought about through the ushering in of the reign of Jesus as Lord and master of our life.

It is a restoration that is accomplished by accepting his message of salvation, having been baptized in the faith of Christ and his church; a restoration brought about by living the faith in the all its dimensions.

Christ restores life to life which is no life. He not only brings life but also shows us in this life the eternal life which we can actually experience here and now in a small measure and yet big enough to transform us and set us on a path of transformation or complete restoration. 

Prayer:  Lord, help me to live the complete measure of the faith you have revealed to us through the church and holy Word and to live in your life. 

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