Our Venerable Father Simeon, the Fool for Christ (c. 580), and His Ascetical Companion John (527-65); Prophet Ezekiel.
Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
1 Corinthians 11:8-22; Matthew 17:10-18.
Read Matthew 17:10-18
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today’s reading comes right after the great event of the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor. Peter, James and John who were witnesses of the glory of God shining from Jesus—the uncreated light—are now coming down the mountain and are processing what has just happened. They are overwhelmed with the glory of God and consider if the Transfiguration of Christ has not ushered in the glory of God upon the whole earth. According the the prophet Malachi, the prophet Elijah is suppose to come back to prepare the people before this great and terrible day of the Lord:
“Behold, I will send you Eli′jah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse.” (Mal 4:5-6).
St. John the Baptist came in the spirit of the prophet Elijah preparing the hearts of the people for the first coming of the Saviour. The prophet Elijah, who was taken in the fiery chariot into the heavens—that is he never experienced death—is set to return before the second coming of the Saviour. The Book of Revelation speaks about the two witnesses, Rev 11:1-14, who prepare the people for the coming of Christ. At the Second Coming Jesus will return with great glory and power and all things will be made new. Before this great day of the Lord appears, we await for the completion of the ministry of the prophet Elijah—who is presumed to be one of the two witnesses.