First Reading:  1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21

The Call of Elisha

Immediately after Elijah realized the presence of God in the faintest whisper of wind, he received a mission: anoint two kings and a prophet. The prophet would become an apprentice. But eventually, the apprentice would replace Elijah. This apprentice was Elisha, a farmer of some means (the number of oxen and the plough indicated Elisha had some success in his livelihood).

With the call, Elisha took his leave from his extended family and his livelihood. With the sacrifice of the oxen and the destruction of his plough, Elisha cut all ties. He was now free to follow God’s call as a prophet and live as a nomadic preacher.

God calls everyone to a mission. Trust in him and his divine providence. Encourage others to do the same. We might not all be called like Elisha to become prophets on the road. But God does expect us to have faith and not be too concerned about our own self interests.

Has God’s call ever tested you to give up some personal activity? What happened?