First Book of the Kings 18: 20-39

First Book of the Kings 18: 20-39

The name Elijah means “The Lord is my God”. In this reading today, Elijah the true prophet, shows the people of Israel that the Lord their God is indeed the only God. Israel had been very much influenced by Jezebel who worshipped Baal. Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab, a weak King and man, who was very much manipulated by the evil Jezebel. The people of Israel were worshipping Baal as well as the true God of Israel. This is what we call syncretism, the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought.

Elijah the prophet challenges the people to choose. Jesus himself will say “you cannot be the slave of two masters.” (Mt 6:24) .The book of Deuteronomy had already instructed the people of Israel “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one and  you shall love Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts”.(Deuteronomy 6:4-6)

In the Catholic Catechism (2112) it says “The first commandment condemns polytheism. It requires man neither to believe in, nor to venerate, other divinities than the one true God.” Scripture constantly recalls this rejection of idols, of silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. “They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.” These empty idols make their worshippers empty. “Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them.”(Psalm 115:4-5) “God, however, is the living God who gives life and intervenes in history.” (Joshua 3:10)

The 450 false prophets of Baal call down their God to consume the bull offering and fail. Elijah to further proves that the Lord is God by pouring 12 jars of water over the bull offering and calls on God who consumes it by fire. The people of Israel cry “the Lord is God”. The point of this passage is simple and clear. We cannot worship God and have a divided heart. We all have to make a choice, it is unavoidable. Who rightly has a claim to be our God? God or mammon?

Pagans worship the world by giving it too much attention. Christians worship God by raising Him above all other things.

“Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes” St Pope John Paul II