(Please read this Scripture passage first, before the homily.)
I should like to introduce you to Elijah. He comes from Tishbe in Gilead. His name means God is my Lord. He claims authority over the weather. He claims to speak the word of the Lord.
He speaks, or, perhaps, announces his message to Ahab, the King. The message is that Elijah is going to determine when rain shall fall or the dew rise. Ahab and many others believed that the pagan god Baal was the one who determined the weather. Elijah, the one whose name means God is my Lord (not Baal is my God), is challenging this Baal-creature’s authority and power. Does Elijah really think that his human word had more power than a (mighty!) god like Baal?
Then the Lord told Elijah to leave and go to a safer place, across the Jordan, beyond the power of Ahab. Elijah left and did as the Lord commanded him. This prompt obedience was a proof that Elijah was really a prophet of the Lord.
The Lord said that ravens would feed Elijah, that birds would be a source of life to him. Later on, we shall find out that birds would eat the flesh of Ahab’s children because of their wickedness.
The Lord also said that Elijah would drink from a stream. Elijah did. In this, he brings to my mind Psalm 110 (6cd), where the messianic figure drinks from a stream. In the same way, Elijah drinks from the stream for renewed strength.
This is Elijah. He comes with authority and power. He enters combat with the powers of darkness and wins. He receives the obedience of creatures. He proves that God is his Lord and this Lord conquers Baal. When he speaks, things happen. We shall hear more from him for the next ten days or so.