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.
