Jesus responds to Peter’s desperation with strong language, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt 14:31). The howling wind reflects the motifs of this Sunday’s first reading, but unlike Elijah, who remained patient through the chaos, Peter is distracted, begins to sink and cries out, “Lord, save me!” (Mt 14:30). Several Gospels relate that Jesus walked on water, but only Matthew mentions the unique role of Peter in this narrative. This Sunday’s Gospel, likewise, highlights Peter’s unique relationship with Jesus. Elijah may be on the run, but in this moment of stillness he discovers that God remains near to him. Only in “a tiny whispering sound,” which the Hebrew text calls “utter silence,” does Elijah recognize the presence of the Lord (1 Kgs 19:12). By contrast, in this Sunday’s reading, it is Elijah who has to wait as the wind, earthquake and fire fail to reveal the presence of God. Their efforts fail, and Elijah makes his own prayer to God who responds. There, Elijah comically encourages false prophets to make a loud, showy display to inspire the foreign god Baal to respond to their prayer.

The nearly silent manifestation of the Lord to Elijah contrasts strongly with the previous chapter. He is able to hear the Lord’s nearly silent voice. He is a prophet on the run and hiding from the Lord who is calling him back to service. The Lectionary leaves out a key question that the Lord asks Elijah twice, “Why are you here?” (1 Kgs 19:9, 13). In the chapter that preceded this Sunday’s reading, he is called “the disturber of Israel,” since Elijah orchestrated the humiliation of Israel’s false prophets as well as their execution by the Wadi Kishon (1 Kgs 18:40). In today’s first reading, Elijah is on the run. Can you hear God speak to you in calm and in chaos?Īre you running away from who God calls you to fulfill your potential?ĭo your doubts strengthen or weaken your faith?

The fisherman bible study guide elijah