December 7: Elijah

1 Kings 17-19

In the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, Elijah appeals to the Lord for the deceased child of the widow. The child had fallen sick and the sickness grew worse until the child stopped breathing. Elijah stretched himself out upon the child three times and called out to the Lord, “Lord, my God, let the life breath return to the body of this child.”

The Lord heard the prayer of Elijah and the life breath returned to the child’s body and he lived.” Elijah served as an intermediary between the child and the Lord, the giver of life.

When we compare this to when Jesus brought back to life someone who had died, the divine nature of Jesus is revealed. Jairus, a synagogue official, humbles himself before Jesus and asks him to help his daughter who is near death. Before they arrive at Jairus’ home there is sad news that the child has died. Jesus tells Jairus, “Do not fear; just have faith.” In the home of Jairus, Jesus takes the child by the hand and says, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl of twelve arose immediately.

Elijah appeals to the Lord to make this happen, but Jesus, the Lord, says directly, “I say to you, arise.” Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, the resurrection and the life.

Father Bob Stegmann
St. Joseph Catholic – Sturgeon Bay



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