Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Be Bold! A quick internet search of this common contemporary imperative reveals books, podcasts, dance initiatives, scholarships, and more. Elisha certainly showed boldness in the first reading for today. When the prophet Elijah tells him to stay behind, Elisha responds to the great prophet, “No, I will not leave you.” Speaking up to the great prophet is certainly an act of boldness, and a public one at that, since 50 guild prophets are also following Elijah.
After Elijah’s very public miracle of parting the Jordan and crossing through together, Elijah invites Elisha to ask for whatever he wants. Elisha proclaims, “I want a double portion of your spirit!” A double portion of the great prophet?! This is not bold, it’s audacious! But it is given to Elisha after Elijah is taken up to heaven. Be bold, indeed!
Then there’s Jesus today, who seems to be telling us to hide - to give, to pray, to fast in secret. Is Jesus contradicting what we learn from the prophets? Certainly not, Jesus fulfills the law and the prophets. Why is Jesus saying this? Jesus is calling us to humility. Our faith is not for display. Yes, Elisha boldly insisted on going with Elijah in front of 50 prophets, but the prophets seem to fade into the background of this story, because the exchange wasn’t about Elisha proving anything to them; it was about faithfulness to what he sensed was God’s call for him.
Elisha’s boldest move in this story happens when only he, Elijah, and God are present. Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, presumably to do more even than the great prophet Elijah could do. Why? Not for his own glory, but for the glory of God and to help the people. The results of this boldness are evident to the community when he returns. But Elisha’s bold request was in service to the community, not to be elevated in the community.
Jesus isn’t calling us to a faith that shrinks behind closed doors, but is calling us to authenticity, to a faith that is bold not just in public, but also in private. When we are bold before God in private, it will no doubt be apparent to others, without our having to draw attention to it.
To the world a call to boldness and humility can seem to be a contradiction. As disciples of Jesus, who boldly proclaimed and enacted the Kingdom of God, and yet was humble enough to die a humiliating death because he loved boldly and without barriers, this is the life we are called to.
—Kelly Adamson