Antichrist in Fort Smith

Preparing for the coming of Christ at the ground level

Matthew 17:9A, 10-13 

As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

          Many years ago, I read an apocalyptic novel – meaning it treated of the end times – which was a real page-turner, called Father Elijah. It’s about a Carmelite monk whom the pope calls out of his monastery on Mt. Carmel for a special assignment, namely, to stop the Antichrist. I thought to myself: hey, that’s just like me. I was a Carmelite for three months and there are plenty of antichrists here in Fort Smith! Just kidding. If you’re looking for a good Catholic novel – but one also with sound spiritual lessons – I highly recommend Father Elijah.

          Well, last year, the same Canadian author, Michael O’Brien, wrote a sequel called, Elijah in Jerusalem. In an interview he gave after the publication of his second novel, he said something surprising. He observed: “The Apocalypse must not be viewed as a purely symbolic mega drama enacted as high theater sometime in the safely distant future. When the foretold events actually occur, they will be experienced at the ground level by all kinds of people, in a variety of subjective ways” (National Catholic Register, October 19, 2015). O’Brien’s use of the phrase, “ground level,” caught my attention. In other words, O’Brien suggest the “end times” won’t unfold in best-selling novels and block-buster movies, but in our own lives, in our daily choices, in carrying our cross, in loving our neighbor, in going to Sunday Mass, that is what is meant by “at ground level.” That is, Father Elijah is not only in Jerusalem, but he’s also in Fort Smith.

          In the gospel today, Jesus tries to teach the apostles the same sober lesson – where to look for Elijah. The apostles ask as they descend from Mt. Tabor and having witnessed the Transfiguration: “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answers: “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things, but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him as they pleased.” Luke goes on to add that the apostles understood that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist. Like Michael O’Brien, Jesus teaches that Elijah’s job is not only to announce an apocalypse at the end of time, but also one “at ground level,” in our hearts and in our homes. Sadly, and all too often, we miss Elijah when he comes.

          My friends, what does all this tremulous talk of the end times have to do with us today, with you and with me? Well, drawing our attention to the end can also offer us a chance for a new beginning. We can look at our lives differently, we can evaluate our relationships in a new light, we can re-order our priorities in a more properly Christian way. Advent is supposed to be a season of intense spiritual preparation for Christmas, it is “the season of Elijah.” In the Catholic lexicon, the terms “Advent” and “Elijah” are virtually interchangeable.

          But like the people in the gospel, we miss Elijah, too. We miss Advent and go straight to Christmas. Have we not already “decked the halls with baughs of holly”? It’s Christmas everywhere you turn. Are we not already attending parties and exchanging presents? How many children believe Christmas is more about Santa Claus than about Jesus Christ? How many people will take all their decorations down the day after Christmas? But that’s when the Christmas season has actually just begun! Just like Jesus said, “Elijah (or we can substitute “Advent”) has already come and they did not recognize him.” And that’s how the antichrist always works, always “at the ground level,” at the level of our hearts and at the level of our homes. You see, there are antichrists in Fort Smith. But fear not, Elijah is here too: happy Advent.

          Praised be Jesus Christ!