From the Deacon's Desk

Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you”…Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.  (1 Kings 19:19-21)

DROP EVERYTHING: Today’s first reading certainly illustrates what it means to “answer the call.” Elijah was sent by God to call Elisha to be His next prophet. Elisha immediately accepted the call, no questions asked. He said goodbye to his parents, slaughtered the animals he was using to work in the fields, and fed the people he was leaving behind. Loose ends all tied up, he was ready for whatever God had in mind for him. He literally dropped everything to answer the call.

What incredible faith!

The reading ties in well with the Gospel for today, a reading from Matthew with the message, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean yes, and your ‘No’ mean no.”

When it comes to our faith, we have said “Yes” many times: Yes, we believe. Yes, we love God. Yes, we choose to serve Him and others. But has our “Yes” translated into action? Can our “Yes” be taken seriously?

Elisha shows us what a real “Yes” looks like.