Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, priest and Doctor of the Church
(I Kings 18:41-46; Matthew 5:20-26)
Through the test of fire Elijah has been able to regain the
people’s allegiance to the Lord. Will
Ahab, their king, follow? In today’s
passage Elijah sends Ahab to make peace with God by eating and drinking on the
holy mountain. But Ahab seems to have
avoided partaking in the meal of reconciliation. Rather the king reports to his
wife Jezabel Elijah’s slaying of the 450 prophets of Baal.
God sends rain to the parched land. He also keeps Elijah a step ahead of Ahab and
Jezabel. He will give him a trifold
mission. He is to anoint a new king of Israel’s
enemy Aram, a new king of Israel, and his prophet successor. It is of equal importance that God’s people
have prophets as they have kings. Both
act in the name of the Lord, but the prophet is to critique the king when the
latter betrays God’s Law.
There is a continual need for prophets. People today as well as Israel of ancient
times today tend to worship false gods. Even
Christians hanker after prestige, power, and pleasure more than faithfulness to
God’s will. Prophets tell us when we do
so and how to make amends.
