When I was with the Carmelites, one of the traditions that all of the houses had was to always have a place open at the dinner table for Elijah.  This practice was not not merely a spiritual nod to the order’s founder Elijah, but a practical measure of hospitality.  The understanding was that a place be ready for the unexpected guest, whether stranger or family member, just as the widow of Zeraphath welcomed Elijah, and we hear this Sunday about the Sunamite woman who gave a place for Elisha to stay.

Some of the Carmelite houses would put out a place setting every night, others would simply make sure there was always an extra chair left empty, ready and waiting for the guest.  In the first place, this was an act of charity, being generous with hospitality for someone in need.  It was also a practice of vigilance and discernment: One never knew when Elijah may stop by, or when God would call forward His blessings and answer our prayers.

The promise of unexpected deliverance is a key part of Elijah and Elisha’s stories.  The widow of Zaraphath had suffered long from the drought and famine, was out of food and ready to die, while the Shunamite woman suffered over the loss of her husband and barrenness of not having a son.  Elijah came and sustained the widow and her son through the end of the drought, and Elisha brought the impossible promise of the birth of a son.  You never know when God will come to answer your deepest prayers, or who He has chosen to be His servant in bringing the answer.  The place for Elijah is an act of humility and faith.

It’s worth pointing out that the place for Elijah is not only about strangers, but maybe even primarily about visiting family, friends and others that you may know.

Having a place for Elijah is also not limited to an extra place at the dinner table.  The underlying idea of charity and hospitality can take on a number of different forms.  One way of honoring the place for Elijah, and is often kept in Carmelite houses too, is to have a guest room that is set aside and ready in the waiting.  One could also keep a bag of food for Elijah, like a lunch bag in the car with a fruit cup, some beef jerky, a bottle of water, or other food that would be a simple meal ready for Elijah; keeping bottles of water at the ready, especially during the summer time; inexpensive knit gloves in the winter.  

For families, you may even consider an Hour for Elijah: no phones or tablets so that everyone is ready and free to be attentive to each other, rather than having their attention captured by devices.  This would be a good time to ask one another for help with homework, or invite to play outside or a game inside, but with the attention on accepting the invitation.