In today's Gospel reading for December 9, 2017---we have Jesus condemning those who questioned his non-ascetic ways---and could not be pleased by either John or by Jesus.—1LittleBear and in the Gospel reading for December 10, 2016, the theme continues.  “`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” (Matthew 17:11-13).