Even Prophets Get the Blues

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflecting on the Word

By Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.

A favorite aunt once said to me, “We are living too long.” Her words stemmed  from heart congestion that had sent her again and again to the hospital to have  fluid drained from her lungs. 

She was tired of it all and weary of life. She was having an Elijah moment. The prophet Elijah became weary of life. His recent work had brought on the  wrath of the infamous Queen Jezebel (for the story, read 1 Kings 18:1 — 19:3), and  she wanted his head. So Elijah goes out to the desert, asking God to let him die.  But God still had work for him and dispatched an angel with food, drink, and a  message: “Get up, eat, and move on. You’re not finished yet.” And Elijah found  he had enough strength to walk for forty days to meet God on Mount Horeb. (My  aunt also found she had the strength to go on.) 

All of this goes to prove that God is the One in charge. 

Jesus tells the Jews that his Father is in charge and that, if they listen to the  Father, they will learn that he sent Jesus to bring eternal life. They think they  know who Jesus is, reducing him to “the son of Joseph.” But Jesus is making it  clear who he is to those murmuring and to us who might murmur: the One sent  by the Father, who will raise us up on the last day, who has seen the Father, who  is the bread of life. 

Consider/Discuss

  • Have you had any “Elijah moments” lately? 
  • Where did Elijah get his strength to go on? 
  • Did you recognize who gave it to him? 

Responding to the Word

Father, we ask you for whatever strength we need to do the work you have  given us to do. Send your Spirit into our hearts to remove any bitterness, anger,  or malice that has taken up residence there. Help us to be imitators of your Son,  Jesus Christ.

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