Here is our Old Testament reading, from 1 Kings: ‘Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” And the word of the Lord came to him, “Depart from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the Lord; he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook’. (1 Kings 17:1-6)

These words recall another passage in 1 Kings: ‘He [Elijah] said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”  And he said, “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord.”’ (1 Kings 19:10-11a)

To stand before the Lord sums up the whole vocation to a life of prayer. St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) saw this very clearly. It belongs uniquely to the Carmelite tradition and to all monastics, but also to every Christian in their life of prayer, in their home life, in their work, in all of life’s experiences.

May we indeed draw on this precious grace, and know blessing and peace in our lives amid all their challenges; and may God bless you this day.