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As you walk down the nave of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the statues of various founders of religious congregations gaze down on you from their niches. Looking just left of the papal altar, you will see the statue of Elijah, the biblical prophet whose life and work inspired the founding of the Carmelite Order. His arm is outstretched, his index finger is pointing dramatically, and you can almost hear him challenging the people of ancient Israel: “If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).
Although Elijah’s audience refused to answer, the prophet never stopped insisting that they respond to God’s word. And today, from his perch in St. Peter’s and the pages of the Bible, Elijah does the same for us: Listen to God’s word! he cries out. Let it transform your lives! Become the prophetic people God is calling you to be!
Who is Your God? Elijah steps onto the stage of Israelite history nearly a hundred years after the glorious days of King David. But the realm is now divided into two kingdoms, and despite the urgings of numerous prophets, no ruler since David has walked in God’s ways.
The worst monarch so far is Ahab, who rules the northern kingdom of Israel. On ascending to the throne (873 b.c.), he negotiates a politically opportune marriage to Jezebel, a foreigner…
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