Feast of St Elijah, Prophet

As well as turning to Our Lady, the first hermits on Mount Carmel drew great inspiration from Elijah, the great prophet of Mount Carmel, raised up by God to be His witness, to hear and proclaim His word. From Elijah the motto of the Carmelite Order was chosen: “With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord, God of Hosts.” (1 Kings 19:10) 

Elijah personified not only the prophetic but also the contemplative life, because of his deep awareness of living always in the presence of the living God.

The first reading is from the first book of the Kings (1 Kings 19:1-9a, 11-14a).  In it we hear how Elijah who feels discouraged goes out into the desert alone and prays to God to take his life.  An angel then appears to him offering him food and drink.  He then walks to Horeb “the mount of God” and waits for God to reveal Himself.  God does reveal Himself to Elijah but not in a show of dramatic power, such as the earthquake, fire  or strong wind but in the “sound of a gentle breeze.”  This reminds us of the importance of waiting for God in silence and hope.

In the Gospel we hear the story of the Transfiguration from Luke (9:28b-36).  In it we hear that when Jesus was at prayer the apostles saw “two men talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory”.  In the Old Testament God reveals Himself to Elijah in the “sound of the gentle breeze whereas with the coming of Christ the Father gave Elijah “the joy of beholding at Christ’s transfiguration” His “Son in all his splendour”. (Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer).

In the Prayer after Communion we are reminded of both God’s gifts and our need to journey onward in faith – “Lord God you have nourished us at the table of your Son with the food and drink of angels. May we constantly seek you here in faith, and so rejoice for ever in the sight of you when we reach the Mount of your Glory.”