At first sight, neither of today’s readings offers much inspiration. Together they are like oil on water. Everyone sees that swearing is stupid, even those who have the habit of swearing, while the vocation of Elisha is surreal and his response – well, extravagant. So, what’s left?
Today is Saturday and Saturdays are devoted to the Blessed Virgin. She didn’t have to slaughter 24 oxen before responding to God’s call and she answered with her Magnificat, a fitting substitute for swearing.
So all of this brings us back to “The Elijah Option”: I will be who I am, doing the ordinary things I should be doing, cutting off as much noise – external and internal – as I can, so that I can hear to the soft Voice of God calling me and with Mary answering: “Thy will be done.”