It is 14th December 2019. We celebrate the memorial of St John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church. The readings are from Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; and the Gospel from Matthew 17:10-13. As we come to close the second week of the Advent, are we prepared and repented to make a room for the Lord Jesus to be born in our hearts. We reflect the glories of prophet Elijah in the first reading. He was the greatest prophet who set people’s hearts on fire spiritually and not allowed them to safe-guarded against their neighbours who followed the other petty gods. “Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse.” (Mal 4:5). Elijah the precursor of the Lord and fiery fight for the Lord. We need to place our God in front all that we do and say. A prophet who embraced poverty, penance and preached the Word of God through his ascetic living. May our faithfulness to the Lord be seen in our simplicity and caring for those in need. The responsorial Psalm praises, “God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.” (Ps.79:4). The Gospel presents us with the impact of John the Baptist as a prophet who prepared the way of the Lord. We too are called to be contemporary Elijah and John the Baptist in our personal repentance and preparing the way of the Lord. Our surrendering to God must not presuppose any condition. Our self-surrender cannot happen where there is not repentance. Cherishing and treasuring the presence of Jesus in our life is the gift of Christmas. We are all entitled for the gift of Christmas is Jesus. May we make effort to approach the doors of confessional space and be prepared spiritually to experience the spirit of Christmas. May you have a peaceful day and God bless you.