Elijah was a big deal for the Israelites. Sirach recounts his wondrous deeds, asking “How awesome are you… Whose glory is equal to yours?” Indeed, for the Israelites it was hard to imagine someone greater than Elijah who performed miracles, brought a dead man back to life and anointed the prophet Elisha as his successor. Jesus’ disciples were no exception.
In Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John see Jesus transfigured and speaking with Moses and Elijah. As they come down the mountain, they don’t ask about Jesus’ altered appearance or what Moses had to say. Instead, they focus only on Elijah.
Jesus patiently explains that we no longer need to wait for Elijah’s return. Elijah has already come, and the disciples immediately knew he was speaking about John the Baptist. After all, there are obvious parallels. John’s odd diet, clothing, and desert life resemble that of Elijah. And both endured persecution: Elijah from King Ahab and John from Herod Antipas. So why did they miss this? Caught up with the “celebrity” status of Elijah, they overlooked the prophet John in their midst.
Who are the prophets among us? Is it the famous actor or politician or the homeless man on the street we pass each day on our way to work? Do we hear the prophetic message in a profound song lyric or do commercial jingles distract us? Can we take time, in silence, to listen to the prophetic voices in our lives?
True prophets speak the truth in a way that challenges us to grow closer to God and to others. False prophets spread lies and half-truths that reject Jesus’ teachings. Pray that we may all discern the true prophetic voices in our lives this Advent.
Rev. John Shea, SJ
I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and first met the Jesuits as an undergraduate majoring in biology at John Carroll University. My experience of doing the Spiritual Exercises in my senior year influenced my later decision to join the Jesuits after graduating from The Ohio State University with a PhD in Evolutionary Biology in 2003. As a Jesuit, I have taught Parasitology, Zoology, Ecology, and Science and Religion. After my ordination in 2014, I came to Creighton to teach in the Biology Department.
In addition to my passion for parasites, I enjoy Doctor Who, hiking in the great outdoors, and praying with God’s word. I look forward to finding and sharing the graces from the daily readings with Creighton’s extensive on-line community.
