Wednesday Reading 3/19 Sunday of the Hemorrhaging Woman

Today is the feast of St. Joseph and this may not be the readings you hear at the Qurbono today.
Galatians 2:1-7
Then after fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. I went up in accord with a revelation, and I presented to them the gospel that I preach to the Gentiles–but privately to those of repute–so that I might not be running, or have run, in vain. Moreover, not even Titus, who was with me, although he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised, but because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, that they might enslave us– to them we did not submit even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain intact for you. But from those who were reputed to be important (what they once were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)–those of repute made me add nothing. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter to the circumcised. Praise be to God always.
Matthew 17:10-13
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. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. This is the Truth. Peace be with you.

Elijah ascended into heaven without dying (so did Enoch). He ascended in a chariot of fire. One Jewish belief was that he would come back before the messiah to announce the coming of the messiah. Yet the Jews only expected a single coming. However, our faith teaches that there will be two comings. The first time Jesus came John the Baptist, who was like Elijah, prepared the way. According to one train of thought, before Jesus returns for judgement day the real Elijah will come (along with Enoch) as witnesses to prepare for the second coming of the Messiah. The first time Jesus suffered and died, but the second time He will come in glory. Jesus invites us into His glory so that we can be with Him in heaven.