It was a Jewish belief that the prophet Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah. Jesus, in today's Gospel explains to His disciples that Elijah had indeed returned in the person of John the Baptist but had not been recognized. John came to prepare the way of the Lord but he was cruelly put to death.

In relating that the Son of Man will suffer similarly, Jesus reminds us that as Christians, we are expected to face consequences in doing God's work. Persecutions too will come in different forms: barbed remarks, open criticism, sly allusions, slander, accusation, total rejection etc. However, Jesus assures us of great consolation amid persecution: "I tell you, you will weep and moan - you will grieve for a time but your grief will be turned to joy." (Jn. 16:20).

As we recall the coming of our Lord during this Advent season, we should stand with confidence and emulate the example of St Paul, who claimed, "I consider the sufferings of the present to be nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us." (Rom. 8:18). Yes, our faith should embark with such strength to do God's work well, for Christ came not to make life easy but to make us great.