Homily of Fr Manoling V. Francisco, SJ
Keep the Faith Daily Mass with the Jesuits
June 12, 2024
1. God calls.
The vocation of the prophet is divinely initiated. In Elijah's case, he was called by the Lord during a severe drought and was commissioned to denounce the idolatry of King Ahaz and Queen Jezebel.
2. God denounces idolatry and corruption through his prophets.
Heeding God's call, Elijah challenges the 450 priests of Baal to set a slaughtered bull on fire. The priests of King Ahaz are unable to bring down fire to consume the offering. On the other hand, Elijah orders servants to douse his slaughtered bull with water and calls upon the Lord to set it on fire. The Lord sends a fire that turns the offering into a blazing holocaust
The 450 priests are killed. Elijah is hunted down by Queen Jezebel's soldiers. He flees for his life & seeks refuge in a cave.
3. God assures his prophets of his abiding presence
Elijah who fears for his life seeks God but does not find him in the earthquake or thunderstorm. He looks for God in the wrong places. He finally senses God's presence in the whisper of the wind.
Today we commemorate our Independence Day. We thank the Lord for our own prophets who have spoken against colonization and oppression, for many, at the cost of their lives. Secondly, we ask the grace to be able to live out our prophetic duties to denounce the ills of society and defend the dignity and rights of the downtrodden. Lastly, and this is for us to ponder over: It is easy enough to identify external threats to our sovereignty. It is easier to identify external enemies than the enemy within us as a people. Some illustrations:
Electing convicted criminals to public offices does not express love for country. Protecting and coddling those accused of high crimes, including public officials and religious leaders, does not constitute love for country. Electing a foreigner who has no memory of growing up in the Philippines does not show love for country. Purveying fake news and bashing those who speak the truth through social media does not manifest love for country.
In these and many other cases, we are our own enemies.
As we commemorate our Independence Day we pray for the grace, like Elijah, to be able to discern our prophetic call; second, to live out our prophetic vocation notwithstanding persecution; and finally, to hear God whisper to us His promise of his abiding presence in the quiet of our hearts.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/live/Wc2SbIonfKw?si=3N8No4MyQ4PhbGon