Wednesday of the
Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
(II Kings 2:1.6-14; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)
A generation ago the movie “Chariots of Fire” won
critical acclaim. It told the story of
the British runners who beat the favored Americans at the 1924 Olympics. The drama centered largely on Eric Liddell, a
devout Christian. Liddell was forced to
make a decision between competing on Sunday and honoring the Third
Commandment. He did not hesitate to choose
the Lord. Liddell demonstrated the same
courage as Elijah whose spirit Elisha seeks in today’s first reading.
Elijah is the paragon of prophets. He speaks truth to power and exhorts the people
to faithfulness. God favors him the
supernatural capacity of calling down fire on opponents. He also suffers for his convictions. In asking for a double portion of his spirit
Elisha is both reaching for greatness and risking his future. He too will accomplish great deeds but not
without a share of anguish.
Eventually Jesus will prove to be the greatest of the
prophets. He will insist that both kings
and commoners observe the true spirit of the Law. No one will suffer for his convictions more unjustifiably
than he. Without being asked, he gladly
sends his Spirit upon us. We are to carry
on his pursuit of inner righteousness come what may.
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