WHO IS ELIJAH?

Tradition tells us that Elijah will come to prepare people for the Messiah. Jesus is telling his disciples that John the Baptist was “Elijah” preparing the way for Jesus. In many Jewish homes during Passover, an extra place is set at the table in case Elijah knocks on their door. We believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, but we also believe that he will come again. Have you ever wondered if another prophet will come to prepare the way for his second coming? If so, would we recognize him? Have prophets already come and we weren’t paying attention? It’s certainly possible. God is being either ignored or misunderstood as much today as in the past. We certainly are in a time of chaos. Our weather is changing; our technology both helps us and makes us more isolated. We know more about what is happening in the world, but I’m not sure it makes us more understanding of others. Fewer people attend church; more say that they are spiritual, but not religious. What does that even mean? I know that I can sit by the ocean and feel close to God or I can walk through a quiet wood, and know that God is present. But I gain even more from being in the middle of a community of believers who support my faith and challenge me to grow in it. It’s time to search for the prophets among us who will call us to repentance as John did to the people of Jesus’ time. Prayer: Lord, you do keep warning us that we do not know the day or the hour. You keep calling us to turn our lives around and turn to you. Give me the grace to answer that call. Amen.