Today’s passage from the First Book of Kings has God empowering His prophet. The Psalm is an expression of thanksgiving for God’s deliverance. In the second reading, Paul calls for denunciation to be replaced with compassion. In the Gospel, Jesus responds to the crowd’s doubts following His statements concerning His connection to the Father and the promise of eternal life.

Direct statements are not always welcome. I have a habit of saying too much. I have often been told that I need to use more restraint. In my case that was probably correct, but perhaps not for both Elijah and Jesus.

Elijah has through God’s grace worked a great miracle. His next action was to vanquish a large portion of his religious opposition. In the passage from the First Book of Kings, we find Elijah fleeing for his life from the wife of the Hebrew king.

Jesus has through the Father’s grace worked a great miracle. His next action was to make some bold statements. In the passage from the Gospel of John, we find Jesus facing skepticism and criticism from the Hebrew leaders.

Both Elijah and Jesus are at transformative moments. Elijah is depressed and afraid for his life until a messenger from God reorients him onto a pilgrimage to the holy mountain. Jesus draws strength from the Father and reenforces His message.

I have been spending time with my three-year-old twin grandchildren. Recently I have been struck by two features of their current state of development: their enjoyment of the familiar, and their literalism. Perhaps my awareness of these two features is impacting my view of today’s readings.

Elijah’s mission is addressing Israel’s drifting away from Yahweh as the people adopt the ways of the surrounding culture. Jesus reminds those present of the unwarranted lack of faith that was apparent during His people’s historical journey. I see Paul’s warning against bitterness in the passage from the letter to the Ephesians paralleling Jesus’ response to the murmurings in today’s Gospel by those individuals tied to a particular structure. I find myself drawn to see Jesus’ self-identification as the Way to the Father serving as something enabling rather than (as some may find it) exclusionary.

While prophets may not have been welcome in their own place and time, I like to consider Jesus and the prophets leading people through the passageway to experiencing God’s transcendence. My prayer today is a consideration of that path.

Dear Lord,
Guide me in a spirit of gratitude for the fulfillment that the Spirit brings.
Help me not to fall victim to shortcomings and frustrations.
Keep me from the temptation of engaging in “armchair” criticism.
Strengthen my awe of God’s transformative power as I look forward.