From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
June 14th =E2=80=93 Elisha The Holy Prophet
9th v. BC
=C2 Elisha was a native of the village of Abelmaum, near Jordan. By the
command of the Lord he was called to prophetic service by the holy
Prophet Elias (July 20).
When it became time for the Prophet Elias to be taken up to Heaven, he
said to Elisha, "Ask what shall I do for you, before I am taken from
you." Elisha boldly asked for a double portion of the grace of God:
"Let there be a double portion of your spirit upon me." The Prophet
Elias said, "You have asked a hard thing; if you see me when I am
taken from you, then so shall it be for you; but if you don't see me,
it wilt not be" (4 [2] Kings 2: 12). As they went along the way
talking, there appeared a fiery chariot and horses and separated them
both. Elisha cried out, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel
and its horse!" (4 Kings 2: 12). Picking up the mantle of his teacher
which fell from the sky, Elisha received the power and prophetic gift
of Elias. He spent more than 65 years in prophetic service, under six
Israelite kings (from Ahab to Joash). While Elisha lived, he did not
tremble before any prince, and no word could overcome him (Sirach 48:
13 ["Sirach" is called "Ecclesiasticus" in Catholic Bibles ]).
The holy prophet worked numerous miracles. He divided the waters of
the Jordan, having struck it with the mantle of the Prophet Elias; he
made the waters of a Jericho spring fit for drinking; he saved the
armies of the kings of Israel and Judah that stood in an arid
wilderness by bringing forth abundant water by his prayer; he
delivered a poor widow from death by starvation through a miraculous
increase of oil in a vessel. The Shunamite woman showing hospitality
to the prophet was gladdened by the birth of a son through his prayer,
and when the child died, he was raised back to life by the prophet.
The Syrian military-commander Namaan was healed from leprosy but the
prophet's servant Gehazi was afflicted since he disobeyed the prophet
and took money from Namaan on the sly.
Elisha predicted to the Israelite king Joash the victory over his
enemies, and by the power of his prayer he worked many other miracles
(4 Kings 3-13). The holy Prophet Elisha died in old age at Samaria.
"In his life he worked miracles, and at death his works were
marvellous" (Sir. 48: 15). A year after his death, a corpse was thrown
into the prophet's grave. As soon as the dead man touched Elisha's
bones, he came to life and stood up (4 Kings 13: 20-21). The Prophet
Elisha and his teacher, the Prophet Elias, left no books behind them,
since their prophetic preaching was oral. Jesus, son of Sirach,
praised both great prophets (Sir. 48:1-15).
John of Damascus composed a canon in honor of the Prophet Elisha, and
at Constantinople a church was built in his honor.
Julian the Apostate (361-363) gave orders to burn the relics of the
Prophet Elisha, Abdia (Obadiah) and John the Forerunner, but the holy
relics were preserved by believers, and part of them were transferred
to Alexandria.
Saint Quote
True obedience manifests itself in executing gladly and without any
repugnance, things which are objects of antipathy or contrary to one's interests.
--St. Alphonsus Rodriguez
Bible Quote:
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he who
commendeth himself, is approved, but he, whom God commendeth.=C2 (2 Cor. 10:17-18)
<><><><>
Adoro Te Devote (Paraphrased)
I adore You my hidden God truly present beneath the form and
=C2 appearance of bread and wine. My mind cannot grasp this Mystery but
=C2 my heart can understand. My senses fail me but I believe for You
=C2 have said it. You are the Word of truth that lasts forever. Only
=C2 listening to You is my trust secure. On the Cross You hid Your
=C2 Divinity but in the Holy Eucharist You have hid Your Humanity too.
=C2 Unto both alike I profess my belief like the Good Thief who
=C2 professed it to You.
Though I do not see Your Wounds like Thomas yet I profess You my
=C2 Lord and my God. Help me believe in You, hope in You and love You
=C2 more and more. You left this Sacrament not only as a reminder of
=C2 Your Saving Death but as a Living Bread which gives me Your life to
=C2 share. Enable me to taste Your sweetness here on earth.
O Jesus, grant me, a sinner, to be washed in Your Precious Blood.
=C2 That Blood of which a single Drop could save all the world.
=C2 Contemplating Your hidden Presence in the Holy Eucharist grant me
=C2 what my soul hungers and thirsts for, to behold Your Divinity and
=C2 Glory in Heaven both now and forevermore. Amen.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)