The Lord, my God, is Here

Homily for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time

The name Elijah means “Yahweh is my God.” Consequently, when Ahab’s servant announces Elijah’s presence by saying “Elijah is here,” and when Elijah himself repeats the phrase, they are actually saying “the Lord my God is here.”

Though he did not write any of the literature of the Hebrew Scriptures, he is regarded as the most important prophet in Israel’s history and is featured in the First Book of Kings, chapters 17 through 19. There are at least 45 promise-fulfilled stories in the Hebrew Scriptures. A number of them come through the ministry of Elijah and Elisha.

The story of the conflict with the prophets of Baal, which we heard yesterday, is embedded in the story of the drought and its ending. The connection between the two stories is found in Canaanite theology, in whose pantheon Baal (the name means “the Cloud Rider,”) is the god of rain and storm and was recognized as the one who brings fertility. Worship of many gods was virtually universal in the ancient world; the Israelite requirement of exclusive worship of the Lord was unique. However, it seems the people of Israel had apparently become comfortable worshiping both Baal and the Lord, perhaps assigning mutually exclusive spheres of influence to each. By claiming authority over the rain, the Lord was challenging Baal’s power in Baal’s own domain. The entire drought story in chapters 17–18 implies what becomes explicit in today’s reading: this is a struggle between the Lord and Baal for the loyalties of the people of Israel.

This conflict fits within the promise that God made regarding the dynasty of David. God had promised that someone in David’s line would always sit on the throne of Israel. Unfortunately, it is these very kings who lead the people astray and away from the covenant of Sinai. The commandments of the covenant have been forgotten, in particular the first commandment which insists that God is the only God.

Paired with the Gospel reading for today, the conflict between Elijah and Ahab shows how the Hebrew Scriptures are a preparation for the new covenant found in Jesus. In the first chapters of St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus comments on the commandments of the covenant of Sinai. He reminds his followers that he has come to fulfill the Law. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus models and insists upon obedience to the commandments as a sign of their faith in him.

It is this new covenant that we celebrate in the Eucharist. This sacrificial meal takes the place of the sacrifices on the altar in the temple, and makes present for us the redemptive suffering of Jesus. It is primarily an act of thanksgiving for all that God has done to and for us. It is truly right and just that we give thanks to the Lord.