March 14th - Reflection

1 Kings 19:1-8 (NRSV)
An angel feeds Elijah in the wilderness

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow." Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.

Reflection
Elijah has just done a ton of work for God and what did he get for it? Death threats! I think Elijah was pretty sick and tired of this whole ordeal. He wasn't making any great progress and it still seemed like a long haul ahead. So depressed and tired, Elijah had enough of life and was ready for it all to end. He was old after all. Give an old guy a break.

But God had more in store. God fed Elijah with bread. What a symbolic food God has chosen to bring life to his people. Bread that would sustain Elijah for a long time and bring him back to Horeb the mount of God.

Likewise God has given us Bread to sustain us for a long time. Through Jesus Bread we can go for a long time towards our goal, with the mount of God in focus. We can be disciples, gathering people along that path towards that cross along the way in our life. Bread to sustain us and Wine to give us that burst of energy only God could provide.

Let Jesus into your life this day and follow him. Open the Word and see Jesus come to life in the pages of the Bible. Seek the Sacraments and see earthly elements spring to life along with the Word and a promise from God. Your life will change. And all along you will focus on Jesus and be fed with that same wonderful Bread that fed Elijah at a low point in his life. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, today feed me your Bread, teach me your Word, show me your Sacraments in action and lead me as I follow you in your kingdom...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen