Go, take the road back to the desert . . . .
(1 Kings 19:15)
In today's first reading, Elijah was trying to "hide out" in a cave. But the Lord wouldn't let him. He told Elijah to get up and go, to take the road to the desert and return there. So he did.
Are we like Elijah? Are we so frightened that we're trying to hide, withdraw, and disengage from the world? Our culture is very much like a desert. It does not encourage Christians. Sometimes it won't even allow us our right to freely practice our faith in God. Does that mean we should withdraw from the world, give up and hide? Should we (pardon the pun) cave?
No, it does not. The world today, even more now than ever, needs what we Christians have to give. As followers of Christ, we practice prudence, we don't go looking for trouble. But we also practice our faith in God. We live it without fear of what others think or say. We obey God.
So, let's get up. Let's get back on the road today. Let's go back to the desert of our godless culture and engage in the spiritual battle. Let us be who we are, without fear. For we are followers of Christ; we are Christians.
O Lord, help me not to be afraid to follow You and obey You today. Give me the strength to do what I know is right. I trust You to lead me and protect me. And I ask this in Your holy name, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Mary, ever Virgin.
Amen..
Father Ed Bakker,
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Launceston on Tasmania
Australia
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