These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

Saint John of the Cross, presbyter & doctor, December 14

In those days, like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah whose words were as a flaming furnace. How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Whose glory is equal to yours? You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses. (Sir 48:1-4, 9-11)
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. (Mt 17:9a, 10-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121424.cfm
The gospel of Matthew reminds us that Elijah has indeed returned in the figure of John the Baptist. And Jesus points out that the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands. Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591) worked together with Saint Teresa of Ávila to renew and reform the church. His writings are classics of Spanish literature.