The colourful, exciting language used about Elijah is a measure of the hope that he aroused in the hearts of faithful members of the Chosen People. His fiery preaching had brought about a restoration of faith in and loyalty to God. His spectacular departure raised hopes that he would come back to finish the job he had started.

In today's Gospel, Peter, James and John saw Jesus in glory. As they descended the mountain with Jesus they wanted him to tell them when the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven would be established. They were presuming that it would have some connection with the "return" of Elijah. Jesus told them, however, that the glory of the Kingdom had already been established. It had been established by his very coming into the world and in particular when his public mission had started. He implied that John the Baptist was the Elijah they had been expecting.

As time went by, even with Jesus' consoling and strengthening presence, the disciples probably ruefully accepted the fact that the Kingdom was not going to be quite as exciting and glorious as they had expected. It was, however, there with them. It is with us now by what we say and do in the grace of Jesus and at his behest we can bring a happiness to the world which will attract people to the joy and glory of the final, definitive Kingdom of Heaven.