The Quiet Bread of Heaven

1 Kings 19:11, Elijah is called to the mountain to wait for the Lord to pass by. My priest, Fr. Joe Tonos, inspired this thought with his inspired homily yesterday at Mass. Elijah had just called down the fire of God upon the water soaked alter to show the people that God was truly God. He had just slit the throats of the prophets of Baal. Now he was told to go to the mountain and wait in a cave for God to show up again. First came wind that ripped pieces of the mountain away, but God was not there. Then came an earthquake, still no God, then fire, the very thing that God had sent for Elijah before, but still God was not in this. Don't we often want God to "show up" with drama and power? We want to see miracles and hear great words of prophecy, to feel as if we are important and special in the eyes of the world! We want God to bring down the fire and show His majesty! Of course, it is just like Jesus, Who comes to the world through the quiet Virgin, that here in this cave with Elijah, God comes in a whisper. He comes the same way to us today in our marriages, our jobs, our families, our art, our dryness, our schools, the studio, the office, the prisons, the chapel, our cars... Amidst all the winds of self importance, ego-drama, busy schedules, loud music, blah blah blah, amidst the earthquakes of the economy, the failed dreams, sickness, and fear. Wait! if we will wait, we will hear Jesus say, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." "I am with you always, even to the end." Let us cover our faces like Elijah, in humility, and listen to what our Lord has to say. Especially as we partake of the quiet Bread of Heaven.

 

wkm