June 3rd - Reflection

2 Kings 2:1-12 (NRSV)
Elijah ascends in a chariot of fire
Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?" And he said, "Yes, I know; keep silent."

Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know; be silent."

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.

Reflection
We follow the Word of God spoken through the prophets. That Word is Jesus revealed to us. We begin to understand the love of God and how God is caring for all of our needs. We want to hold onto this Word in any way that we can. Here, Elijah is the prophet proclaiming the Word of God. Elisha, as his disciple wants to hold onto that Word that Elijah speaks and doesn't want to part from Elijah.

But Elijah's journey on this earthly realm is about the end for now. Elijah is about to be with the saints in glory. Not that his work has ended, just that it will change. So Elisha clings to Elijah. Elijah does leave something behind though. Elijah leaves his mantle. His cloak or coat to Elisha. A symbol to carry on the prophecy of the Word. To carry on the hope of the Messiah in Jesus.

We move on in life. We move on and as disciples of Jesus we have received the mantle of his Word and the Spirit of Jesus to live out the calling we have been given to love in this world and proclaim Jesus glorious grace until he comes again. Jesus has left us so much. We can only respond in joy and thanksgiving. Jesus and Elijah are not gone. They are just with us still in a different form. Live through the Spirit of Jesus and act out in love...today...tomorrow...and forever.

Prayer
What glory you have shown through prophets, people, animals, and all creation. What glory you show through Jesus! Thanks be to God! --- Amen