From Despair to Divine Intervention: A Journey with Elijah and Jesus

Peace be with you! Welcome to Your Catholic Corner! I'm your host, Julie South, and I'm so glad you've joined me today as we delve into the Word of God and its relevance to our lives today. 

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In today's episode, we'll be focusing on the readings for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. We'll start by exploring passages from the First Book of Kings, Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, and the Gospel of John. 

Our main focus will be on exploring the typological connection between the Old Testament reading from 1 Kings and the Gospel passage, to help you understand why the Catholic Church chose these specific texts. If you're not familiar with the term "typology," don't worry – I’ll explain what it means and how it relates to these readings.

Our readings and prayers today shine God’s light on providence, unity, and generosity. God’s reminding us of His promise that He’ll care for us, and the importance of us being generous in our own lives.

Remember, whenever we gather in Jesus' name – like we are right here and now with you and me - He's right here with us.

The readings for this Sunday are: 1 Kings 19:4-8, Ephesians 4:30-5:2, and John 6:41-51.

INTRO + STING

If you're unfamiliar with the term "typology," it refers to the concept that certain elements in the Old Testament serve as "types" or foreshadowing of someone or something in the New Testament. It's like God leaving clues in the earlier scriptures that point to the fulfillment we find in Christ and the New Testament.

The typological connection between 1 Kings 19:4-8 and John 6:41-51 lies in the themes of divine sustenance, spiritual nourishment, and God's care for His people.

1 Kings 19:4-8:

·       Elijah, exhausted and despondent, is in the desert praying for death. But God sends an angel to provide him with food and water, strengthening him for his journey. 

·       This passage highlights God's care and provision, even in the most trying circumstances.

John 6:41-51:

·       Continuing from last week, Jesus continues His teaching about being the bread of life, explaining that He is the living bread that came down from heaven, and whoever eats this bread will live forever.

·       He contrasts the manna that the Israelites ate in the desert – again from last week - which was temporary, with Himself as the true, eternal sustenance.

Connection:

Both passages emphasize the theme of God's providence and spiritual nourishment.

·       The physical sustenance provided to Elijah by the angel foreshadows the spiritual nourishment Jesus offers as the bread of life.**

·       Elijah’s journey in the strength of the food provided by the angel parallels the believer’s spiritual journey sustained by Jesus, the living bread.

In other words, these passages remind us that God is our ultimate provider … it’s He who cares for us and provides us with more than we need – if we but only let him… Whether this is through the angel's food like Elijah or Jesus, as the bread of life, we see God's unstoppable and unwavering commitment to His people.   To us!

**STING**

Now let’s pray together. As we reflect on these readings, may we be inspired by God's call to each of us, strengthened by His blessings, and encouraged to share His message of love and healing with others.

First reading

1 Kings 19:4-8

Elijah is sustained by an angel 

He himself went on into the wilderness, a day’s journey, and sitting under a furze bush wished he were dead. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘I have had enough. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down and went to sleep.

But an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked round, and there at his head was a scone baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

But the angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat, or the journey will be too long for you.’ So he got up and ate and drank, and strengthened by that food he walked for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

**The word of the Lord.**

Ephesians 4:30-5:2

**Follow Christ by loving as he loved you**

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God who has marked you with his seal for you to be set free when the day comes. Never have grudges against others, or lose your temper, or raise your voice to anybody, or call each other names, or allow any sort of spitefulness. Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ.

Try, then, to imitate God, as children of his that he loves, and follow Christ by loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.

**The word of the Lord.**

Gospel

**John 6:41-51**

**Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever**

The Jews were complaining to each other about Jesus, because he had said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ ‘Surely this is Jesus son of Joseph’ they said. ‘We know his father and mother. How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’

Jesus said in reply, ‘Stop complaining to each other

No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets: They will all be taught by God, and to hear the teaching of the Father, and learn from it, is to come to me. Not that anybody has seen the Father, except the one who comes from God: he has seen the Father.

 ‘I tell you most solemnly, everybody who believes has eternal life.

 ‘I am the bread of life.

Your fathers ate the manna in the desert and they are dead; but this is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that a man may eat it and not die.

I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.’

**The Gospel of the Lord**

**STING**

So, what are you hearing God saying to you through these passages? Remember, He speaks to each of us in different ways, so what I’m hearing in my heart, might be different from how He touches your heart.

The gospel passage from John is one of the more well-known passages – I think – I’m sure non-Christians have heard those words “I am the bread of life” …

Here're some of my thoughts and reflections on what I think God might be saying to me:

**1 Kings 19:4-8**

Elijah's journey in the desert and God's providing for him through the angel's food show God's care and encouragement during our times of utmost despair and hitting rock bottom. 

Key Points:

  1. Faith in God's Providence: When we feel exhausted and hopeless, God provides what we need to continue our journey.

  2. **Divine Encouragement:  - how often have you found yourself at what feels like rock bottom and then out of the blue … seemingly out of nowhere, a kind of miracle happens?   That’s God at work – he’s sending us his support, sometimes in completely left field and unexpected ways, to strengthen us.**

What does all of this mean for me today?   How about am I trusting enough in God’s providence …?   Of his Divine Intervention when I’m at the end of my tether with nothing left to give…?   When I feel like this, I need to stop and think more about the times that God has provided for me in my times of need…. When I’ve been running on empty…

Ephesians 4:30-5:2 - Paul calls us to live a life of love and forgiveness, imitating Christ's self-sacrificial love.

Am I doing as Jesus would do?  Am I forgiving of others as Jesus is forgiving of me?  Am I as kind to others Jesus wants me to be?

John 6:41-51 - Jesus, as the bread of life, offers eternal sustenance and calls us to believe in Him for eternal life.  How often do I spend time grateful for the spiritual nourishment that I have in my life because I believe?   Because Jesus is always with me?    

Today, we're reminded to trust in God's provision, show love and forgiveness, and seek spiritual nourishment in Jesus.

And talking of today - the Church needs us today – not tomorrow! I invite you to help grow the Church by inviting others to share in our faith and Mass each week. You can start small by sharing this podcast – invite three people to listen at yourcatholiccorner.com.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please let me know at yourcatholiccorner.com.

STING

While you’re getting ready for mass this week, let’s take a sneak peek at what else we’ve got to look forward to from God, next week - in the 20th Week of Ordinary Time.

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Next Sunday, we'll be diving into the beautiful readings that remind us of the importance of wisdom and understanding in our own spiritual journey. 

We'll explore the invitation to partake in the banquet of wisdom from Proverbs, reflect on Paul's exhortation to live wisely and make the most of every opportunity in his letter to the Ephesians, and then we’ll hear about Jesus' hugely important teaching on the bread of life in the Gospel of John.

So, make sure to join me next week as we continue to unpack these enlightening scriptures and discover how they can guide and inspire our daily lives.

I hope this episode helps your spiritual journey. My prayer is that this podcast deepens your understanding of God's word and the Catholic faith. Please share this show with friends and family. It's free and a great way to help others grow in their faith.

Wherever you are in your spiritual journey and wherever you are in the world, I pray that God's love fills your heart and that you'll join Him at the Eucharist in your local parish. A big shout out to the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton, New Zealand, for their support.

This is Julie South signing off until next week. Peace be with you. God bless.