Please read this passage before reading the homily.
We are in a section of the two Books of Kings feature g the prophets Elijah and Elisha. A major source of tension in this section concerns the worship of Baal, who was considered by many as the god of rain and storm. Baal had his prophets and many people worshipped Baal.
The children, the 450 prophets of Baal, and Elijah had assembled on Mt Carmel for a contest between Baal and the God of Israel. Elijah accused the people of straddling the fence, trying to worship both God and Baal. He took two young bulls, one for Baal and one for God. He proposed the priests of Baal take one a prepare it for sacrifice but they should not light the fire to consume the sacrifice; Elijah would do the same for God’s animal.
Baal’s prophets, danced in frenzy around their altar and kept calling out to Baal to hear them. Elijah taunted them, suggesting excuses for Baal’s lack of response.
Elijah, for his [art, quietly repairs God’s altar. Symbolically of the twelve tribes of Israel, he used twelve stones. He also poured over the altar and sacrifice, twelve jars of water, which symbolized Baa trying to drown of worship of God. He said no long prayers and danced no frenzy. He simply called the people around him and said a simple prayer to God.
God answered with a thunderbolt that consumed the sacrifice and dried up all the water. It was a clear and distinct victory for God, and all the people had to admit it, “The Lord (not Baal) is God!”
So, now who is god for us? What are the Baals in our lives? What do we worship in preference to God? How do we challenge God’s place in our lives? We cannot straddle the fence; we must choose.