Elijah was present with Moses at the transfiguration as the representative of the Old Testament prophets. It was foretold he would return; the Gospel suggests at the response of the disciples that it indeed had happened with the appearance of John the Baptist.
Quite frankly, these are loaded with deep history and theology that could leave one a little confused; we bounce forward then backward in historical time as these scriptures are proclaimed.
But right here, halfway through Advent, as we see John’s great significance in preparing the way of the Lord, me thinks that it is poking us to realize that we, too, present day disciples of Jesus, are here to prepare the way of the Lord and help others to recognize him, meet him, welcome him, and love him.
As has already been promised, each day and each week will simply intensify the prospect that perhaps all of us will meet the Lord a little more deeply this year, and discover a little more profoundly that love that is the Lord.
