Word to the Wise
Friday, June 14, 2024 - Friday in the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-16 and Matt 5:27-32]At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the Lord came to him, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord - but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake - but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire - but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the care. A voice said to him, 'Elijah, why are you here?" [1 Kings]
The first scriptures for the past several days have come from the First Book of Kings and particularly that portion that tells the story of the great prophet, Elijah! The particular scene in today's first scripture is one of the best known and especially beloved by spiritual directors who deal with directees who wish that God would give them a "sign" as to what they should do! In the middle of the windstorms, earthquakes and forest fires of life, how is one to hear a tiny whispering sound? Elijah himself had taken refuge in a cave for fear of his life. God tells him to leave the relative security of the cave and go outside!!! There, Elijah hears God asking a question: "Why are you here?"
The perceived security of our personal (and sometimes physical) "caves" may be the obstacle to the one thing we want most - to hear from God. To hear a "tiny whispering sound" we have to leave that cave and be attentive. God's question is not merely rhetorical. Why indeed did we retreat into the cave? Elijah thought he had good reasons to hide. God had other reasons for him to come out of hiding. "Hey, Elijah! Stop playing turtle and get moving!" Can we? AMEN