June 25th Reflection by Bill Lynch

2 Kings 2:1–2, 6–14

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. 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.

He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

Reflection
Elisha was a faithful disciple of Elijah. Elisha followed Elijah with integrity and devotion. At the point of Elijah leaving and Elisha's beginning ministry of his own, they pass through water. Likewise, after Elijah departs in a whirlwind into heaven, Elisha takes Elijah's mantle and strikes the Jordan waters to pass through the waters once again.

We pass through waters in our lives. Waters that signify change and cleansing. Elijah passed through the waters that had parted to the glory of God as he next went to heaven. Elisha passed through these same waters to witness God's glory and Elijah's passing into heaven. Elisha passed through waters to begin his life with God as prophet without Elijah by his side. Elisha now must turn to God.

When we pass through God's waters, we can't help but to turn to him. We depend on God in our lives. We depend on God's love and guidance in our daily living.

These changes in life... as we walk through the waters of God's grace... we come to a point when our friends and our mentors are separated from us by the Spirit of God's fires. We rejoice in the victory God has graciously given them. We rejoice in our presence with them on this earth. We mourn for our separation, but we hope for a reunion as all are made One through Christ. And the Spirit, the mantle, is passed on to you and to me, to live in God's grace and to pass God's Spirit on to whomever God gives to you.

Water and fire... signs of God's love and hope for all who believe. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, may I carry the mantle, the covering of your grace and your Spirit, into the world in which you place me, that all you give to me this day,  may turn to you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen