Journey of Hope

Reflection on Today's Readings, 11th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, Wednesday 17th June, 2020
Texts: 2Kgs. 2:1.6-14; Ps. 31:20,21,24; Mtt. 6:1-6,16-18
The untiring spirit of Elisha is an encouragement to us all; he showcases what it means to hope in God. His journey with Elijah represents our journey with God, placing our hope in him. Hope is the confident expectation of divine Blessing and beatific vision of God (CCC no. 2090). The journey of Elisha with Elijah is a journey of hope. He journeyed with Elijah, having confident expectation to receive the double portion of his spirit. It was a difficult request for Elijah to grant. The object of hope is always difficult to obtain; it is gotten with God's help. In this journey, a lot of things happened. Elijah pressurized Elisha to leave him, but he did not give in. Today's first reading does not record that he was mocked. He was mocked, but despised it. If he had wanted men's praise, he would have left Elijah alone. He despised human praise. Hence, in today's gospel, Jesus Christ warns us against practicing our piety for human praise. He puts it thus: "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven". Elisha despised men's praise and it paid him well. Elisha did not think of how he would cross the river Jordan while coming back alone, for he was certain that he would return with the double portion of Elijah's spirit. Elisha took the response to today's Psalm seriously: "Be strong, let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord".
Hope gives us strength to journey to the end. Hope makes us focused, determined and always reminds us that wherever there is a will, there is a way. When we live life of hope, we will reject every form of distraction, like praise, mockery, persuasion, etc.

Lord Jesus, give us unwavering hope that we might have strength to journey with you till the end. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke