SENIOR RELATIONSHIP

At the end of the day it is all about relationships. We all have to really work hard on this. We can not go on with life thinking that we can set aside whatever broken relationships we have with other people especially our loved ones. We have to mend it and go out of our way to bridge the gap that is keeping us apart. If we are truly wise in this sense then we will take into consideration today's message from the 1st reading. It may not be an easy thing to do especially if there are hurt feelings involved. But it is always good to keep our relationships intact especially our friendships for this matter and know better than to stay estranged with someone. We have to rise above our personal idiosyncrasies and know what is truly for the best. If there’s one relationship and friendship that I treasure very much since I came to the US then it is with the Senior Citizens. With this I must say that relationships should be a seniority  rather a priority. I would like to honor them with this reflection from Sabbath Journal today (Dec. 10) which is very timely also since today also is the Christmas party of the St. Martha’s Seniors. Amen. Hallelujah!
AN ODE TO THE AGED

Let me share with you some lines from a forwarded email entitled “You Know You’re Getting Old When…”
• Your friends compliment you on your new alligator shoes and you’re barefoot.
• You’re suffering from Mallzheimer’s disease. You go to the mall and forget where you parked your car.
• When you find yourself in the middle of the stairs and you can’t remember whether you’re going up or down.
• Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can’t remember them either.
In today’s first reading, Sirach remembers the old figures of the former covenant, particularly Elijah. Elijah is considered to be one of the greatest prophets of old. It was said that every pious Jewish family still reserves a seat in the dinner table in case Elijah suddenly comes back. This sentiment is echoed in today’s Gospel when the disciples question Jesus as to why the people seem to equate Him with the coming of Elijah. But what I find heart-warming is the deep affection and reverence with which Sirach remembers his ancestor Elijah. The whole reading is virtually an ode of tribute to the place Elijah occupies in the hearts and collective consciousness of the Jewish people.
Do we look at the senior members of our family, community or Church with the same reverence? Admit it, most of the times, we relate to them simply with a respectful silence that is actually a masked indifference. The late Archbishop Fulton Sheen calls it “the chronological arrogance of the present times.” This is an attitude which considers everything and everyone that is old as old-fashioned, useless and irrelevant, and conversely, everything new, modern and chic as significant. But think of the wealth of knowledge that the old has and still can contribute. An old Chinese proverb reminds us aptly, “If you want to know what lies ahead up the road, ask those who are already on their way back.” Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:
In what ways do I manifest in my attitude the “chronological arrogance” of the young?

Lord Jesus, it was the old man Simeon with Anna that recognized You even as a baby in the temple. Help me see the treasures in the Simeons and Annas in our midst. Amen.

Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11
...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...Blessed is he who shall have seen you and who falls asleep in your friendship.

God will always be an endless flowing river that refreshes us continuously. Let us not hold back and know that if we decide to do things for the glory of God and the sake of His name then we will surely see His face and be saved. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19
R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
...From your throne upon the cherubim reveal yourself...May your help be with the man at your right hand, with the one whom you once made strong.
Then we will not withdraw from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

We are destined for greatness just like Elijah, we can be modern day John the Baptist. God's power is limitless and He can do to us abundantly and exceedingly beyond our expectations. Let us hope and pray to God that we always recognize God's presence in our lives through the people around us, the circumstances and events happening in our lives and most of all reflect to others, Jesus in our hearts. Our everyday circumstances teach us that nothing is permanent in this world, all life on earth will eventually come to an end. May we always strive to work for the benefits of our souls which is eternal and permanent than for the goods of this earth which will pass away. Let us make a habit of vigilance so that we will all be ready when the appointed hour comes and not miss an opportunity of spending eternity with God in Heaven. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 17:9a, 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.