Wednesday, June 17, 2020


Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings 2:1.6-14; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)

Shortly after St. John Paul II died and Cardinal Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI, a picture of both appeared on the streets of Rome.  The photograph showed the wizened pope embracing his chief counsellor and soon to be successor.  Both looked intently at each other.  Love and trust emanated from their faces.  It is the kind of confidence that exists between Elijah and Elisha in today’s first reading.

Elisha realizes that Elijah’s remaining time is short.  He asks Elijah to give him a double share of his spirit.  This is not a grab for power but a rather humble acknowledgement on Elisha’s part.  As Elijah’s successor he will have to confront kings and masses of people with God’s word.  He may not have Elijah’s natural powers so requests more of his spirit of wisdom and faith. 

Such a request becomes us as well.  We may find ourselves lacking the spiritual resources of our parents or mentors. Of course, the times are more hostile to faith than for centuries.  We must pray to God to send the Holy Spirit to us so that we may help others know the peace of Christ.