Saturday
of the 2nd Week of Advent
Memorial
of Saint John of the Cross
December 14, 2013 8:30am
Both of today’s readings refer to
the Old Testament prophet Elijah.
The Book of Kings tells us that
Elijah was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind.
The assumption was made that
Elijah did not die and that he would return to earth to prepare the way of the
Lord.
This is a belief throughout Old
Testament times.
In today’s gospel Jesus refers to
this expectation and seems to identify John the Baptist with Elijah.
He may simply mean that John has
fulfilled the role that Elijah was expected to play, preparing the way for the
Day of the Lord.
This expectation that Elijah
would return gave rise to some customs among the Jewish people.
At a Jewish Passover table, there
is always an empty chair so that Elijah will have a seat if he comes that year.
There is also an empty chair at a
circumcision ceremony.
The idea behind both of these
customs is that Elijah was a fierce advocate of faithfulness to the covenant.
And so, the empty chair for him
at a Passover Supper is appropriate because that supper is a renewal of the
covenant, and the empty chair at a circumcision ceremony is appropriate because
there a child enters the covenant of Abraham.
During this Advent season, this
custom of the empty chair might lead us to reflect.
Do we expect Christ to come to us
as the Jews expect Elijah to come?
Do we try to open our minds and
hearts to make room for Christ who might well come to us in unexpected ways?
Are we open to Christ coming to
us in other persons, sometimes the least likely of persons?
Are we open to his coming even in
situations and events?
So, Elijah and the custom of the
empty chair raise a good Advent reflection for us.
Are we open to the Lord’s coming
to us today?
