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| “Elijah Taken Up in a Chariot of Fire” by Giuseppe Angeli, c. 1740/1755 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
Commentary on 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14
The story of Elijah being taken bodily to heaven gives some unique insights into the reverence with which he is held. We note first that he parts the waters of the Jordan with his cloak, a clear reference to other great leaders of the people: Moses who, through God, opened the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21), and Joshua at the Jordan (Joshua 3:7-14).
We also note that Elisha asked for a “double portion” of his spirit as an inheritance. “Double portion of your spirit: as the first-born son inherited a double portion of his father's property (Deuteronomy 21:17), so Elisha asks to inherit from Elijah his spirit of prophecy in the degree befitting his principal disciple. In Numbers 11:17, 25 God bestows some of the spirit of Moses on others.”[4]
Following the ascension of Elijah, Elisha’s request is apparently granted as he uses the cloak of Elijah to repeat the miracle, opening the Jordan once more. The succession of Prophets is complete.
CCC: 2 Kgs 2:9 2684
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31:20, 21, 24
R. (25) Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Commentary on Ps 31:20, 21, 24
Psalm 31 is an individual lament. The faithful are comforted that God may be trusted, and that even in the face of enemies, God, who has shown his love from age to age, will save his people. Placed with Matthew (6:1-6, 16-18), a clear reference is made to God’s love of those who are humble.
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Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Commentary on Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
The Lord continues the Sermon on the Mount. In this selection the Lord specifically addresses the pious acts of charity, prayer, and fasting, contrasting each with the spurious or pandering acts of the Scribes and Pharisees. He tells his audience that when they do these things, do them for God to see, not other people. They are to do what is right for God’s glory, not their own, not so that others will place them in high esteem because of their piety or generosity. In all three instances, almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, the same instruction is given. We are to give generously but in private, we are to pray fervently but alone, and we are to fast with purpose but hide our discomfort. (Omitted from this reading, Matthew 6; 7-15, is Jesus giving the disciples the Lord’s Prayer.)
CCC: Mt 6:1-18 1434; Mt 6:1-6 1430, 1969; Mt 6:2-4 1753, 2447; Mt 6:2 1063; Mt 6:5 1063; Mt 6:6 1693, 2608, 2655, 2691; Mt 6:14-16 2792; Mt 6:16-18 1430; Mt 6:16 1063; Mt 6:18 575
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Reflection:
It is common for people who become involved in an area of service within the Church, a ministry or apostolate, to take ownership of it. It becomes their offering to God. It can be simple, like bringing meals to the needy on a monthly basis or visiting the homebound. The more and longer we involve ourselves in these projects the more ownership we take and they can become a source of pride. We are doing what the Lord commands and we are doing it well. In fact we are doing it so well that others who may be attempting the same kind of service can be seen as interlopers or impediments to our service.
Aha! We have fallen into the trap the Lord warns about in the Gospel. We have forgotten who we serve, and who gives us the gifts we share. Our service can become a source of pride in our own ability, and not about glorifying God through that service. It is for this reason the Lord enjoins us to reserve our piety to the privacy of our rooms. It must be seen by others, not shown to others if it is in public.
Telling a story on myself, a number of years ago I had just completed a Benediction Service following our weekly First Friday Adoration. I felt very good because the homily I had given on the Eucharist was particularly touching (to me). As I was in the sacristy getting out of my vestments, one of the parishioners brought in the clip board with the sign-up sheet. I happened to glance down and noticed a name by the 2:00 AM time slot. I knew this person, an elderly man. He used to be very active on the finance committee, but then his wife had passed and he had some health set back, and sort of fell from “parish icon” status. Out of curiosity I looked at the sheets from previous months and discovered that this great Christian had come each month on First Friday for over two years. Always he came at 2:00 AM. (I later found out that that was the hour his wife had passed.) Very few people saw him, not many people just drop in at 2:00 AM to adore the Blessed Sacrament.
When I saw this anonymous dedication, I was humbled. Here I was feeling good about speaking publicly about the Sacrifice of Jesus in the Eucharist, while this man had, for years, been genuinely adoring the Lord in anonymity. To myself I said: “And who do you think will be ushered into the Heavenly Kingdom with the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant?”
We are pointedly reminded today of who should receive the credit for what we accomplish. Not only should the Lord be given credit for the good works we accomplish, but giving glory to the Father should be our motivation for taking on the task, any task, in the first place. A hard lesson for us today; one we pray we learn without the public humiliation that frequently accompanies the proud.
Pax
[1] The picture used is “Elijah Taken Up in a Chariot of Fire” by Giuseppe Angeli, c. 1740/1755
[4] See NAB footnote on 2 Kg 2;9
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