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The BreadCast


Daily Exposition of the Readings for Catholic Mass...

as well as Prayers to the Saints on the General Roman Calendar (for the U.S.).  

From the books Our Daily Bread and Prayers to the Saints by James H. Kurt - both with imprimatur.

Jun 7, 2022

(1Kgs.18:20-39;   Ps.16:1-2,4-5,8,11;   Mt.5:17-19) 

“If the Lord is God, follow Him;

if Baal, follow him.”

Today “the only surviving prophet of the Lord” comes to reveal to the people that “the Lord is God!”  Elijah seeks to open the Israelites’ eyes to the presence of God, to bring them “back to their senses.”  And how evident it becomes that “they multiply their sorrows who court other gods,” and that those “who set the Lord ever before” themselves are able to declare with David in faith: “With Him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.”

The great futility, the absolute emptiness of following false gods is shown in clear focus in the four hundred and fifty “prophets” who “hopped around the altar” and “called on Baal from morning to noon, saying, ‘Answer us, Baal!’”  How well our first reading summarizes the response of gods who are no gods: “But there was no sound, and no one answering.”  After “Elijah taunted them: ‘Call louder, for he is a god and may be meditating, or may have retired, or may be on a journey.  Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened,’” they compounded their worship to utter absurdity as they “called out louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until blood gushed over them.”

From this exercise of futile worship Elijah calls the people, saying simply, “Come here to me.”  And they move from this macabre circus scene over to the altar of the Lord the prophet prepares.  And here the power of the Lord is unveiled beyond doubt to open the wayward hearts of God’s chosen ones.  Water upon water is poured upon the evening sacrifice, but the Lord’s fire comes at the word of Elijah and consumes all.

“Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel.”  Let it be understood that your law must be followed and not the wicked contrivances of the human heart.  Let be known the truth of your Son’s words: “Whoever breaks the least significant of these commands and teaches others to do so shall be called least in the kingdom of God.  Whoever fulfills and teaches these commands shall be great in the kingdom of God.”  For we shall only know the “fullness of joys in your presence” if we keep to your way, following Him who has come “to fulfill” “the law and the prophets.”  Let us never “court other gods” but with your humble king call out ever, “My Lord are you.”

*******

O LORD, all your Law is holy for you alone are holy

and lead us only into your presence –

praise you, O LORD our God!

YHWH, you alone are God indeed; you alone should we worship – your NAME alone should we call upon to answer all our needs.  And your Law we should keep with all our hearts if we hope to gain a hearing from you.

We are so blind, O LORD, blind to your presence, blind to your power, blind to your love for us and the care you provide in your Word.  We seek to make our own way, to worship a god of our own making, and so we fall away from you who hold our very lives in your hands.  Send the fire of the Holy Spirit upon us to awaken us to your glory and your love here in our midst this day, that we might turn to true worship, worship of you who alone are worthy of our praise.

O LORD, let your Word be fulfilled in us; let us keep your commands perfectly, following in the way of your only Son, who is the fulfillment of your Word.  Yes, you alone are God and He alone is the way to you – let us live in your truth.