December 17 Elijah Chariot of Fire
The greatest of all prophets was Elijah. He called down fire from heaven, raised a boy from the dead, ended a terrible famine, and shouted the truth to a people who needed to hear it. John the Baptizer is patterned after him. Elijah was jealous for his God—allowing no other gods in his life or in the lives of those who followed him. Death was something he did not know firsthand, as he was taken up in a chariot of fire only to reappear at the coming of the Messiah.
Prayer: O God, help me to be jealous, to keep only to you. Do not let the gods of this world entice me away from you, so that when my time comes, I too will be drawn into your presence.
December 17th marks the beginning of the final week before Christmas. The church employes the beautiful “O Antiphons” during the Office of the Hours and daily Mass’ Gospel acclamation to enhance our prayer life in anticipation of the coming of our Savoir. Not as a child which has already happened, but at the end of time. I offer them now for your contemplation.
O Sapientia (Wisdom) coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.