Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant. (1 Kgs 19:19-21)
We like to think that the great calls from the Bible have something to do with special effects, but no. Poor Elisha was simply plowing the fields when Elijah threw his cloak over him. He said goodbye to his parents and off he goes. Would that we could answer God’s call that quickly!
Saint Anthony was devoted to the Word of God. Maybe that’s why he’s always shown with the Word Made Flesh (Baby Jesus) in his arms.
