Elijah is considered one of the greatest prophets in the history of Israel. He is the one for whom an empty seat is left during the Passover meal that the Jews celebrate each year. He is also the one who appeared with Moses as the two great prophets of Ancient Israel on the mountaintop with Jesus in the Transfiguration in Matthew’s Gospel.
We have been hearing about Elijah in our first readings this week. In today’s first reading, we hear about the moment before Elijah is going to be taken up to heaven by the Lord, so the mantle of prophet needs to be passed to another. Elisha has been chosen to be the next great prophet of Ancient Israel. Elijah offers to do whatever Elisha wants before he is taken up by the Lord. Elisha’s response is very remarkable: to receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elisha desires to serve the Lord as a prophet just as Elijah did, with integrity and respect. He wants to be legitimately recognized as such and to have Elijah’s spirit follow him. In the end, we see that God has indeed blessed Elisha in this way, as he is able to part the Jordan River just as Moses and Elijah were able to do.
The tenacious fervent faith of Elijah and Elisha calls out to us today. They strongly heard their calling to serve the Lord as his special prophets, even as they recognized the frustration, danger, and challenges that accompany such a call to service. We may not be called to be prophets of God in the same way that Elijah and Elisha were, what we are called to be Christ’s disciples, and as such, we are called to feel a sense fervor and tenacity in whatever way we are called to serve the Lord in our own lives. Sometimes what so many in our society are looking for is the easy way out, or for a life filled with as much pleasure and material success as possible. Any of us can fall into that trap. Let us open our hearts to the ways we can serve the Lord with humility and selflessness.
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