Nov. 10: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Prophets and kings

1 Kgs 17:10-16; Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10; Heb 9:24-28; Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44

As I am sure many have heard before, each Gospel was written from a different perspective and with a different goal in mind. The various agendas of our Gospel writers affect every aspect of the way they present Jesus’ story and character.

For each synoptic Gospel, Jesus is more or less modeled after a specific Old Testament character or tradition. The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as new Moses, able to give and interpret law. The Gospel of Mark shows Jesus to be a more apocalyptic figure, somewhat like the character Daniel. The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus most like a prophet, specifically, the prophets Elijah and Elisha. That being said, each synoptic Gospel has stories where Jesus takes on prophetic characteristics. The prophetic figure that Jesus is shown to emulate is Elijah.

There are a few stories with Elijah where he is presented similarly to other early prophets (1 Kgs 22). However, the presentation of Elijah in the Old Testament is rather unique in comparison to most other prophets. One common misunderstanding about Old Testament prophets is that they were all outcasts or lone wolves, appearing out of nowhere to stand opposed to injustice.

However, when we look closer, we see that most prophets are presented as integral members of their societal structures. For our earlier prophets, this is especially so within the structure of the monarchy. Now, Elijah is very involved with the king of his time, Ahab, as most early prophets are shown to be. But he is the first early prophet who is an outcast, kept away from the king.

There was sometimes conflict or disagreement between prophets and kings, but kings often went to prophets for help. The earlier prophets in the Old Testament were tasked with the duty of helping the king, while also being a sort of check and balance to the king’s power.

 The relationship between Elijah and Ahab is one of conflict and violence. Elijah is opposed to everything about Ahab. He is constantly challenging and condemning Ahab and Jezebel, Ahab’s wife. In turn, Elijah spends a lot of time fleeing from them both.

During the time that Elijah is in hiding from Ahab and Jezebel, we see some stories about him that are very different than the stories we are used to seeing about prophets. They are very fantastic stories.

We see Elijah do things like raining down fire from heaven and raising the dead. Ravens come to feed him when he is in need. We also see this tradition of fantastic stories continue with his successor, Elisha.

The story we see in today’s Old Testament reading is an example of one of those fantastical stories. These kinds of stories often involve a poor woman in need of help, which Elijah provides through his strong connection to his God (1 Kgs 17:21-24). God always provides the poor woman, or widow in this case, with abundant care and gifts to help her continue to survive (17:15-16).

There are many ways to be a prophet. There are many different styles and situations where a prophet may be called. Elijah is called to offer warnings and messages of condemnation. He is also called to bring care and comfort to those who need it. Each individual prophet will be given a unique task.

This is true for us today as well. While some may be called to live as prophets their entire lives, others may be called to be prophets at specific places and specific times. Prophets encourage us to be critical and honest about the ills and injustices in our societies. This is not to be critical for the sake of being critical. Rather, it is done to motivate us to bring about justice so that the world can be harmonious and at peace.

Their messages of hope assure us that we can make the world better and that God will help us to do it. But this is only possible if we face our societal ills with honesty, courage and a dedication to justice. When we do so, God will help us to create a world with abundant gifts and mercy.