Reading 1 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-16
Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter.
But the word of the LORD came to him,
“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by.”
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
A voice said to him, “Elijah, why are you here?”
He replied, “I have been most zealous for the LORD,
the God of hosts.
But the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant,
torn down your altars,
and put your prophets to the sword.
I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.”
The LORD said to him,
“Go, take the road back to the desert near Damascus.
When you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king of Aram.
Then you shall anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel,
and Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah,
as prophet to succeed you.”
Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:7-8a, 8b-9abc, 13-14
Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
R. I long to see your face, O Lord.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
R. I long to see your face, O Lord.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. I long to see your face, O Lord.
Alleluia Phil 2:15d, 16a
R. Alleluia, alleluia.Shine like lights on the world,
as you hold on to the word of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 5:27-32
“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.
But I say to you,
everyone who looks at a woman with lust
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
If your right eye causes you to sin,
tear it out and throw it away.
It is better for you to lose one of your members
than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.
And if your right hand causes you to sin,
cut it off and throw it away.
It is better for you to lose one of your members
than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.
“It was also said,
Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.
But I say to you,
whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful)
causes her to commit adultery,
and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD (see Ps 46:11)
"Why are you here, Elijah?" –1 Kings 19:9
The mighty prophet Elijah had more confidence in Queen Jezebel's wicked fury than he did in his own strength. Jezebel had sworn to eliminate Elijah and sent assassins to hunt him down and kill him (1 Kgs 19:2-3). Elijah had stood as strong as a "wall of brass" against the whole nation (see Jer 1:18), but he was not able to stand up to one furious, powerful, vengeful woman.
Elijah fled the country, walking over forty days to put as much distance as possible between him and Jezebel's assassins (1 Kgs 19:8). Finally, the Lord was able to break through Elijah's fear and asked him: "Why are you here, Elijah?" (1 Kgs 19:9). While Elijah was conversing with God, God didn't listen to Elijah's excuses. Instead, God called Elijah to a new mission and sent him back out (1 Kgs 19:15).
It is God's call and mission that give us fresh strength as we step out and obey. In His kindness, the Lord sent Elijah on a route that would mercifully take a wide detour around the wicked Jezebel. Finally, in His awesome mercy, the Lord took Elijah up safely to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kgs 2:11). Then He sent a double-portion of Elijah's spirit into his successor, Elisha (2 Kgs 2:9, 14-15).
God wants us to simply quiet down and listen. Then He can get through to us. For Elijah, Jezebel was Goliath. We all have Goliaths. We must be still, know that God is almighty, and make it our priority to listen for God's voice rather than Goliath's.
| PRAYER: | Father, "though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war be waged upon me, even then will I trust" (Ps 27:3). |
| PROMISE: | "I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living." –Ps 27:13 |
| PRAISE: | Thomas' addiction was overwhelming until he admitted he was powerless, turned to the All-powerful, and received grace to overcome it. |
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