Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

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Today’s readings

One of my favorite things about the season of Advent is the people we meet along the way.  This week we had a celebration of Mary’s Immaculate Conception as well as a visit from Saint Nicholas.  Next week we’ll get to meet Saint Lucy and John of the Cross.  Today’s Scriptures introduce us in a special way to the prophet Isaiah.  We’ve been hearing from Isaiah all along in our first readings, and he has more to say to us still before we hear of his words’ fulfillment on Christmas Day.

Then there’s the prophet Elijah.  Tradition and Scripture tell us that Elijah didn’t die; he was take up to heaven in a fiery chariot on a whirlwind as his successor, Elisha, looked on.  It was expected that one day he would return.  And so ever since, even to this day, the Jewish people have held a place at the table for Elijah at every major celebration.

Jesus makes it clear, however, that Elijah has already returned.  We meet Jesus and the disciples coming down the mountain from the Transfiguration in today’s gospel.  They have just seen Elijah on the mountaintop along with Jesus and Moses.  And so they ask Jesus, on the way down, about the return of Elijah.  When he tells them that Elijah has already returned, but nobody recognized him, they realize that he is speaking of Saint John the Baptist, that other Advent character that we have been privileged to meet.

And it’s a bit of a foreshadowing.  Just as the people missed Elijah’s return, so they will miss Jesus’ return too.  The Resurrection is a sure sign of God’s love and presence in the world, but how many didn’t believe then, and how many still don’t believe!  For people to come to know that Christ has come and lived and died and risen for us, Isaiah’s voice must still be heard.  John the Baptist did that by crying out in the desert.  Now it’s our turn.