Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Kings 18:20-39; Matthew 5:17-19)
Today’s first reading tells the story of one of the most
memorable events of the Old Testament.
However, it does not include what makes the event unforgettable. After Elijah calls down fire from heaven upon
the offerings, he has the 450 prophets of Baal slain!
The biblical author does not mean to glorify violence but to
underscore as boldly as possible the need to worship the one God. People tend to worship other gods whether
they be pagan deities, horoscopes, or material things that have become
priorities. Like the prophets of Baal
calling in vain their god to come down, these things will never satisfy
completely. They should be shunned. To emphasize this necessity Elijah has the prophets
of Baal slain.
We may feel confident that these false gods will never
overtake us. However, we are wise to
keep praying to the Holy Spirit for help to resist their influence. Many men and women are being trapped in the
filth of pornography, undermined by the desire to be famous, and sidetracked by
the lure of comfort. It is God who saves
us from sin and death. Him alone we
should thank and praise.
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