Today, the 20th of July, is the Feast of the Prophet Elijah. Carmelites trace their spiritual legacy to him; St John the Baptist presents to us the fruits of that tradition; he is granted a place next to Jesus the God-man like no other: tradition calls John the Friend of the Bridegroom.
But why is Elijah so important? What is the meaning of Elijah’s life? Why was he seen next to Moses at the Transfiguration?
Many suggest that Moses represented the Law and Elijah the prophets at Mount Tabor. They stood in witness of the incarnate one, proclaiming His glory. The prophets not only foretold Christ, but they represented in their message, in their activity, a foretaste of the message and activity of Christ. The more one reads the prophets and engages their words, the more one sees a central message coming out from the midst of them: they demanded Israel to keep to the demands of justice. What they proclaimed was a social message: as the Israeli people were once a lowly people, so were they to show mercy and benevolence to those who are lowly: they were called to protect the orphan, to take care of the widow, and to forgive the debts of the poor. When the population failed to do this, a prophet was sent to them, and warned them of the judgment of God they would have to face if they did not reform.
Again and again, their message was aimed at the leaders of Israel; time after time, kings and priests turned to idolatry with devastating consequences for the people they ruled over. The demands they placed upon the people to satisfy the needs of the new religious cults placed a great burden on society, and the people found their backs being broken and unable to worship the God of their fathers. It was as if Pharaoh had returned.When we look closer at the social situation, we see that idolatry was tied to social injustice, and social injustice was a way to determine if Israel had lost its spiritual bearing. The poor were neglected for the sake of the idol. Indeed, the whole of Israel suffered whenever the nation placed something other than God in the place of God, but none suffered more than the neglected poor. This was true when the kings of Israel placed their hope in Baal; this was also true when the kings of Israel placed their hope in the arms of men, such as the case when they made a pact with Egypt. The faith Israel placed in Egypt would prove to be its downfall, as the consequent exile demonstrated. Israel would never be the same after that!
What message would a prophet in the mantle of Elijah have for the world today?
Troparion:
Incarnate Angel and summit of the Prophets,
Second forerunner of the coming of Christ,
Glorious Elijah sent down grace from on high to the Prophet Elisha.
He heals diseases and cleanses the leprous.
He pours healings on all who honour him.
Kontakion:
O great Prophet Elijah,
Seer of God’s mighty works,
Who didst halt the torrential rain by thy word,
Pray for us to the Lover of Mankind.
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