Daily Reflection
June 17, 2026

We have some family friends in Madrid. When visiting, I learned the favorite phrase of the 4-year-old daughter, “mira, mira” (look, look). She wanted me to watch her. Maybe not in Spanish, but I can hear the hypocrites say “mira, mira” when praying in public. I think the main question is who are you asking to look, people or God? 
 

Elijah and Elisha are not being secretive. Elijah tries to walk off in secret, and Elisha is not having it. When Elisha asked to be the firstborn (receive a double portion, Deut 21), Elijah agrees under the condition that Elisha sees him taken up. I think Elijah is testing Elisha’s intentions and spirituality; God isn’t going to let him see if he’s not ready. 
 

And what happens when Elisha picks up Elijah’s mantle? He looks to the power of God, not the power of the mantle or his own power, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” Elisha is not a hypocrite. He’s not saying “look, look”. 
 

Jesus is instructing me about intent, “Take care not to perform … in order that people may see” me. I find it difficult to help and ignore the feeling of “look, look”. I used to avoid serving to avoid the temptation.  I have come to believe my own weakness is not a good enough reason to stay out of the game, to not help. I trust I am a work in progress. 
 

In closing, I’d like to invite you to look into the names of Elijah and Elisha, and how they tell a story of what is happening in the New Testament. Elijah translates as “God is Yahweh.” And Elisha roughly translates as “God is Salvation.” By Elisha asking for a double portion, it’s saying Salvation is the firstborn of Yahweh.