Elijah and Elisha and Anyone Who Follows Jesus

Carmelite homily for Monday, March 16, 2020 – Lectionary 237 (Luke 4:24-30)

In today’s Gospel Jesus references both Elijah and Elisha, prophets of the First Book of Kings which Carmelites say are our spiritual founders.  Elijah comes from the east bank of the Jordan, from a town called Tishbe, and Elisha comes from the west bank – very different backgrounds and situations.  I think that’s why Jesus mentions them, because he says, ‘Elijah was sent to a widow of Zarephath’ – that’s up in Phoenicia, a foreign land.  And to Elisha, Naaman the Syrian came to be healed of leprosy,  again a foreign land.  I think that’s what Jesus is getting at.  His message and our message shouldn’t be limited to just this group or these people or just this.  But should be, could be, and with grace, IS for everyone, envelopes everyone, embraces everyone.  That’s the call of today’s Gospel – to open our hearts like Elisha, like Elijah, like anyone who wears the Carmelite habit, or like anyone who follows Jesus.