Introduction
Prophet Elias, also known as Elijah was born in a remote and little known Village called Tishbe, which lies among the mountains of Gilead, on the other side of the Jordan River. This area is not too far from the country of the Gergesenes, where, in the time of our Lord the devils entered into the swine. (Luke. 8:26-39) The book of Kings of the Bible, make the following record about Elias“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead” (I Kings, 17:1) He was born and raised by a Jewish family of which we know nothing. His birth place Tishbe, is interpreted to mean a converter and the name Elijah as “My God of power” or “Jehovah is my strength”. We know nothing about his childhood and his life. Most probably Elias was a child with no education or schooling. His fathers name was Sadok while we know nothing about his mother. In the Book of Kings, we find Elias entering the stage of history, abruptly out of nowhere, with a word of faith and power presenting himself to the king saying“And Elijah the Tishbite said to Ahab. “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew or rain these years, but according to my word.” (I Kings, 17:1)
Opening Prayer
O glorious St. Elijah, ever a mirror of sanctity and justice, while living in this valley of tears, obtain for us of God the grace to be your followers on earth, that we may one day be partakers with you in the everlasting glory in heaven.
O great Patriarch of the Order of Mount Carmel, teacher of God’s people and the defender of their Faith, disperse, we entreat you, the darkness of our intellect, obscured by our evil passions, and preserve in our hearts the Faith which is kept living by works of charity.
O holy Patriarch of the Most high, taken into heaven in a chariot of fire, and who shall be the precursor of Christ, when He shall come in the splendor of his infinite majesty to judge the living and the dead, pray for us, that loving Him and sincerely serving Him on earth, we may have the great happiness of loving Him for all eternity in the blessed kingdom of heaven.
Amen.
Reading 1 Kings 17:1-6
Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab: “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, during these years there shall be no dew or rain except at my word.” The word of the LORD came to Elijah:
Leave here, go east and hide in the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan. You shall drink of the wadi, and I have commanded ravens to feed you there.
So he left and did as the LORD had commanded. He left and remained by the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan. Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the wadi.
The Word of the Lord.
(Please take a moment for silent prayer)
Let us pray
O Holy Elijah, you appeared, a prophet of fire with words like a flaming torch; you shut up the sky and three times called down fire.
O Glorious Elijah, the wonder-worker who has done such marvelous deeds, the word of God carried you to the desert where you shared bread with all God’s creatures, you raised a child from death, you fed the poor and hungry in time of famine, and spoke the word of the most high.
You sought the presence of God in the silence of a cave and listened more deeply than either whirlwind or earthquake to find the Living One in the murmur of the heart.
You were raised up to heaven in a chariot of fire, and let your mantle fall upon Elisha and all the children of the prophets we humbly beseech you to share your spirit with us, and intercede with God for our well-being and peace, especially in the following matter:
[Mention your request]
O Holy Father Elijah, strengthen us to hear the murmuring voice of God in the still caves of our hearts.
Amen.
