We have been hearing readings from the first and second book of Kings these past two weeks. The prophet Elijah has been prominent in those readings. In fact, the prophet Elijah is so important to the Jewish people that after the grace is said at the seder meal that the Jews celebrate at Passover, a cup of wine is poured for Elijah, the door is opened to him, and his presence is recognized with a special seat that is prepared for him at the table. Indeed, Elijah is not only considered the great prophet by the Jewish people, but Christians and Muslims also honor his role as a prophet, for the way he stood up to false prophets and wicked kings who abandoned the path of faith and who lead the people of Israel away from God. Tuesday, in our first reading from the 2nd book of Kings, we heard about how Elijah was taken up to heaven by a whirlwind at the end of his life, and how Elisha was chosen to be his successor as the prophet of God to the people of Israel. Elisha continued in his faithful service to God as prophet for many years. Today’s reading from Sirach is a hymn of praise to God for Elijah and Elisha, for the many ways they served the Lord. As we heard about the deadly shooting in Orlando over the weekend, we might reflect up how we can live in a community where all of us are in solidarity and how we respect each others differences as a opposed to how we can be judgmental and lash out to others in community in anger or in a destructive way. I believe that the Lord is always asking us: Are we building up the Kingdom of God here on earth, are we living the values of the faith, or are we destroying God’s kingdom and tearing others’ down. Those are good questions we can ask ourselves.
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