Saint Elijah

Elijah came from Tishbe, in the land of Gilead, and was a prophet in Israel under King Ahab, in the ninth century before Christ. He is one of the most towering figures in the whole Old Testament. His story is one long challenge. Queen Jezebel had imposed the worship of Baal and had the prophets of the God of Israel wiped out; Elijah was left on his own. He challenged them on Mount Carmel: four hundred fifty prophets of Baal on one side, him on the other, two altars, and whichever one the fire comes down on wins. They prayed all day with no result, and Elijah mocked them, suggesting that maybe their god was asleep or away on a trip. Then he had his wood drenched three times, and the fire came down. But the greatest moment comes afterward, and it’s the opposite. Fleeing from Jezebel, worn out, he asks to die. He reaches Horeb, and God tells him to come out of the cave. A wind goes by that splits the rocks, and God is not in the wind. Then an earthquake, and he is not in the earthquake. Then a fire, and he is not in the fire. After the fire, “the whisper of a gentle breeze.” That is when Elijah covers his face and goes out. He did not die: according to the account, he was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, and he left his cloak to Elisha. That is why Jews, Christians and Muslims are still waiting for him. The empty place at the table at the Passover seder is his. If your name is Elijah, today is your name day.