9 August 2015
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
It is no wonder the prophet Elijah is running for his life. He has just been involved in the deaths of countless false prophets of Baal, and Queen Jezebel is outraged. Her husband, Ahab, the king of Israel, now wants Elijah to suffer the same fate. (Do we hear echoes of John the Baptist and Herodias, in the New Testament, here?)
Elijah seems to have forgotten already the dramatic intervention of God in bringing about the destruction of the false prophets. He has somehow lost his trust. This man of God only knows that he is depressed, tired and frustrated. The Lord’s work is just too much for Elijah and he now asks for death.How short our memories can become when we feel abandoned by God, when our good works go unrecognized. How often have we wanted to give up (“sought death”) when our efforts at doing the Lord’s work seem in vain?
As the story continues, an angel appears to provide Elijah with nourishment. The prophet is too weary to care, but God’s messenger insists that Elijah fortify himself. Elijah is still unaware of the divine nature of this mysterious food. It is a simple hearth cake and jug of water, but so much more. This sustenance comes from God and so will enable him to make an even more important journey: one that will bring him to a holy place. His forty day and night sojourn, propelled by the nourishment of this sacred food and drink, will bring him to Horeb where, in centuries past, Moses received the divine law.
This food will offer Elijah more than just physical revival. It will bring him new life and energy for the work of God, transforming his weary spirit, giving him new resolve to continue the work of God. We might imagine that Elijah is now able to get up, stand tall, his eyes firmly fixed on his new destination, his heart transformed. Continuing on his new spiritual journey, the Bread of Life will now be his strength.
The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.
