June 24th Reflection by Bill Lynch

1 Kings 19:15–16, 19–21

Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.

So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?” He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

Reflection
Elijah still had work to do. Elijah had more to do for God. Just at the time that Elijah thought all was said and done, God came to him. Just at the time that Elijah was ready to give up on his work and his life, God came to him. Just at the time that Elijah felt all alone, God came to him. God came to Elijah and told him to Go!

As a result of Elijah following God's command to "Go!" Elisha was given his purpose and mission in his walk with God. Elijah cast his mantle over Elisha. This was a symbolic act that was understood in that day. Elisha would now follow Elijah in learning and in time also. Elisha too is God's prophet to point to God.

We have been given a mantle to cover us also. As Children of God, through baptismal waters, God cast a mantle upon us. We have been covered by God's grace to follow, Jesus. We follow Jesus as his disciples in this world and point to the salvation that all can realize through Jesus. We are taught by Jesus' words and works. We are given the gifts of the Spirit as the Spirit chooses for us. We are sent by God and called to action. We too are called to "Go!" We are called to go in the places, in the vocations, in the way that God has sent us to proclaim to all that God gives to us this mantle of grace that God has for all people. A covering of love and salvation offered from Jesus... God himself... for all people.

Prayer
Lord, I feel the warmth of the mantle of Grace. I feel the love and the call and the mission. Today I go. I go to those you give to me and proclaim your mantle of Grace that is available to all... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen