Cross and Mission by Jorge Mario Bergoglio

LET US REFLECT TODAY on the profound solitude of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19: 4). He had just completed an important mission by gaining victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18: 20-40); but, despite his great success, he felt completely alone and was longing to die. In reality, his mission was still not finished, for he was being invited into an intimate encounter with the living God (1 Kings 19: 9-14), an encounter that would make him apostolically fruitful (1 Kings 19: 19-21). This was an extraordinary event, but it was one marked by an experience of abandonment and the cross. We might also be helped by meditating on the figure of Jonah, recalling the time when he went off selfishly by himself and desired to die because his human plans did not coincide with those of God (Jonah 4: 1-11). These two great prophets had a bitter experience of abandonment and loneliness in the midst of the missions they were given. In different ways they resisted their calling, but they were gently impelled by God to keep moving forward. Let us ask for the grace to accept the dimension of the cross that is involved in every mission.

At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah? " He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away."