Feast of Elijah
Prophet
After many days the word of the Lord came to Elias (Elijah), in the third year, saying: "Go and shew thyself to Achab, that I may give rain upon the face of the earth". (1 Kings 18:1)
In the feast of the Holy Patriarch today, let us meditate on the works of Elijah, who called on the Lord to bring down fire from the sky before the eyes of 450 prophets of Baal and another 400 prophets of Asherah. No acts of violent uprising or dissent, just a profession of his faith and zeal for the love of God. He would perform other miracles during his lifetime, not for his own satisfaction but to show the power and might of his God, OUR GOD (Behold I am the Lord the God of all flesh: shall any thing be hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27)).
In the same way, God calls us to be courageous in our faith in the midst of criticisms, confusion and persecution. Now no man lighting a candle covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it upon a candlestick, that they who come in may see the light (Luke 8:16).
As members of the Carmelite family, we are called to be Elijahs of our time--incorruptible in faith besides cultivating a contemplative spirit. Being members of a bigger community, we are expected to be a light to others who are still left in the dark.
To borrow the words of the Most Rev. Romulo Valles in his recent pastoral exhortation: Rejoice and be glad! It is our duty as Christians (Catholics most especially) "to bring love where there is hatred, pardon where there is injury and faith when there is doubt", among others.
As we trudge on the road to Carmel, let us not simply think of the desert surrounding our journey but a garden that awaits us at the end of the narrow road. Let us be another Elijah.
Sources:
Douay Rheims Bible.
Veritas. Rejoice and be Glad: CBCP Pastoral Exhortation. 9 July 2018 <https://www.veritas846.ph/rejoice-and-be-glad-cbcp-pastoral-exhortation>
