11TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord as one party and the king and the people as the other.

All week long, the first readings at Mass have told the story of the prophet Elijah and his clashes with the leaders of Israel. They have shown us Elijah fulfilling his mission to call Israel back to God. Many times along the way, Elijah experienced dejection, but each time he learned something new about the Lord: who he is, what place his people have in the world, and what his plan of salvation looks like.

In fact, Elijah’s biography reads almost like a pattern of obstacle and revelation. A widow who shelters him loses her son to a serious illness. Elijah cries out and discovers that God answers prayers and raises the dead. The wicked queen Jezebel pursues Elijah ruthlessly. He slumps dejectedly under a tree and discovers firsthand God’s provision and protection.

After Elijah was taken up to heaven, a righteous king reclaimed the throne and got rid of idolatry. Great news? Well, not really. Before long, Israel and their leaders went back to their sinful ways.

Does this mean that Elijah failed? Not at all! Everything he had learned about God taught him to trust in God’s plan, even if that meant that this plan would unfold well beyond his own lifetime. He learned that God would continue to build his kingdom, no matter what kingdom earthly rulers try to build. He learned the difference between earthly treasures and heavenly treasures. And though he fought for the conversion of Israel his whole life, we can see that Elijah himself experienced an ever-deepening relationship with God: he learned to listen to God more deeply and to follow his word more faithfully.

Do you worry that you will fail in what God is calling you to do or maybe that you already have failed? Remember, God is more interested in faithfulness than success. By staying close to him, even in the face of discouragement, you will come to know him more. And with that deepening relationship will come the hope, joy, and peace that Elijah experienced.

“Lord, give me confident hope in your plans for this world.”

Psalm 132:11-14, 17-18
Matthew 6:19-23
2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20