Wednesday 15 June 2022

Today is Wednesday the 15th of June, in the 11th week of Ordinary Time.

Luke Parker sings, ‘In Quietness’. As you listen, recall the moments you have met with God in the quietest of moments; the moments of silence; of stillness…

When I am down and on my knees
you are enough you're all I need
It's here you meet me
so I'll stay
In the stillness of your embrace
When I am down
and on my knees
with all that I am surrendering
and in this moment face to face
in your presence Lord I will wait
In quietness I wait for you to speak
my spirit thirsty Lord, longing for you
and I'll wait Lord for more of you
my soul thirsts Lord for more of you
you break the silence
your voice it inspires
and I am in awe of your love
you bring a newness of life in its fullness
revealing the plans of your heart
you break the silence
your voice it inspires
and I am in awe of your love
you bring a newness of life in its fullness
revealing the plans of your heart
In quietness I wait for you to speak
my spirit thirsty Lord, longing for you
and I'll wait Lord for more of you
my soul thirst Lord for more of you
When I am down
and on my knees
In this moment Lord I will wait

Today’s reading is from the second book of Kings.

2 Kings 2:1, 6-14

Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
Then Elijah said to him, ‘Stay here; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.’ But he said, ‘As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ He responded, ‘You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.’ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, ‘Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?’ When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

In today’s reading we hear the story of the last moments that Elijah and Elisha shared together before Elijah was taken up to heaven.

It’s a very dramatic account, but the focus is on the relationship between the teacher and his disciple.

Elijah asks Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you before I am taken from you.’

Imagine a mentor or wise person known to you, asking you this question. What would you like to ask for?

Imagine Elijah and Elisha walking and talking together, sharing their last moments.

Now try to picture Elijah’s departure as he is suddenly taken up to heaven by a chariot of fire and horses, in a whirlwind.

We then see Elisha, alone, grasping at his clothes and tearing them in two in as an expression of his grief.

Can you identify with this sudden loss? Take a moment to talk with God about this.

As you listen to the final part of the reading again, notice what Elisha does next.

Elisha picks up Elijah’s mantle, the cloak that kept him warm. The mantle may also represent the authority or a role placed upon one’s shoulders.

Can you identify a mantle left to you from a wise or loving person?

What has this mantle meant to you, perhaps enabled you to do something in your life?

As you end your prayer now, give thanks to God for this person and for their gift to you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.