One of the highlights of the Jewish liturgical year is the family meal at Passover, the Seder. The custom is that each family will set one more place setting than the invited guests — the Elijah seat. This testifies to the hope for the arrival of the Messiah whom Elijah proclaims, and it also symbolizes the spirit of hospitality that should characterize those who believe in God. Christians, of course, recognize that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist. Jesus said, I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. However, we are still obliged to have that same willingness to offer hospitality — to “recognize him” in the poor and abandoned of this world who need compassion.
