Introduction
The last moments of Elias are not as one could imagine. Elias, according to the Holy Scriptures, did not die. He was ascended to heaven in whirlwind as Elisha saw with his own eyes. The two men as they were passing on together in the country beyond Jordan and while they engaged in holy conversation, “behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by whirlwind into heaven. (2 Kings, 2:11).
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 19:9-14
He came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the LORD came to him: Why are you here, Elijah? He answered: “I have been most zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts, but the Israelites have forsaken your covenant. They have destroyed your altars and murdered your prophets by the sword. I alone remain, and they seek to take my life.” Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by.
There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been most zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts, but the Israelites have forsaken your covenant. They have destroyed your altars and murdered your prophets by the sword. I alone remain, and they seek to take my life.”
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.