These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she began to kill off the whole royal family. But Jehosheba, daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash, his son, and spirited him away, along with his nurse, from the bedroom where the princes were about to be slain. She concealed him from Athaliah, and so he did not die. For six years he remained hidden in the temple of the LORD, while Athaliah ruled the land. (2 Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061722.cfm
When I was just a kid, the story of the boy-king, Joash, caught my imagination: to hide out in the temple of the Lord until he was ready to receive the crown.
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who in heaven . . .” (Mt 6:7-15)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061622.cfm
The prayer that Jesus gave us teaches us everything we need to know about God. We can never exhaust its meaning in the life of believers everywhere. The prayer invites us to trust God with all our needs . . . because we are loved completely.
As they walked on conversing, a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. When Elisha saw it happen he cried out, “My father! my father! Israel’s chariots and drivers!” But when he could no longer see him, Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two. (2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061522.cfm
With the Prophet Elijah being carried away to heaven in a flaming chariot, the torch is passed to Elisha who becomes prophet carrying the mantle of Elijah.
(Against Jezebel, too, the LORD declared,
“The dogs shall devour Jezebel in the district of Jezreel.”) (1 Kgs 21:17-29)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061422.cfm
In the South it’s very common to use Bible names for places and especially for our children, but the one name that is almost NEVER used is Jezebel.
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” (Mt 5:38-42)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061322.cfm
An “eye for an eye” was an improvement on blood vengeance, but the Lord asks more of us. Saint Anthony was devoted to the Word of God and struggled with the Scriptures just like the rest of us.
