Ordinary Time

Pause

A wise person once said: “Stillness is strength.”

Take a moment to Be Still.

Let God’s strength fill you and guide you.

Listen

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his coat. He went out and stood at the cave’s entrance. A voice came to him and said, “Why are you here, Elijah?”

He said, “I’ve been very passionate for the Lord God of heavenly forces because the Israelites have abandoned your covenant. They have torn down your altars, and they have murdered your prophets with the sword. I’m the only one left, and now they want to take my life too.”

The Lord said to him, “Go back through the desert to Damascus."

1 Kings 19:13-15a

Think

When we finally catch a break from the hectic seasons of life, we usually want nothing more than to chill out and get as far away as possible from the stressful responsibilities that come with life. The restful moments often feel too short and we don’t feel ready to jump back into our busy and often stressful lives.

In today’s scripture, Elijah explains the peril he was in — how forces were trying to get rid of him as they did with his fellow prophets. He was finally safe in hiding, able to catch a break from all of the running and fearing for his life. It was then, in the resting and hiding, that God revealed Elijah’s mission to continue his work. Out of a place of rest and recovery, God called him to action once again.

Jon Chacko

Pray

Creator God, help me prepare to serve, even when it’s in ways I don’t expect. Amen.

Go

God, let my seeing and hearing, my words and my actions be rooted like a strong tree in a silent certainty of your presence. Amen.

Adapted from a Celtic benediction by J. Phillip Newell.