Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: The Whispering Wind That Coaxes Us From Our Caves

First Kings, 19:9-13 tells the story of how the prophet Elijah, "on the lamb" and running from his persecutors, tucks himself safely away in a cave at "God's Holy Mountain" (Horeb). While taking refuge, God comes-a-searching for him and asks, "why are you here, Elijah?"After Elijah issues his chief complaint (namely that the Israelites are seeking to take his life), God tells Elijah to prepare to meet him outside of the cave. A strong and heavy wind passed by, crushing rocks to smithereens, but it wasn't God's calling card. Next an earthquake rattled Elijah's cavernous cage - but still no God (apparently, tumults aren't God's style!) Than a fire erupted - but still, no God. Finally, the tiniest "whispering wind" softly swept by the mouth of the cave. It was this that announced to Elijah the presence of the Lord of Hosts. When Elijah came to the mouth of the cave, again God asked him, "Elijah, why are you here?"


What stands out about this, "thick-with-implications-about-God's-revelation" exchange with Elijah are two things, one obvious and one not-so-obvious. Let's start with the obvious: God doesn't announce God's presence in an impressive, awe-inspiring manner in order to put Elijah at ease and dispel the difficulty. Now on to the not-so-obvious: God asks Elijah the question, "why are you here?" twice in the space of only four verses. Interestingly enough, Elijah responds with the exact same answer to God's question both times: "I have been most zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts, but the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life." It's important to note that earlier in Chapter 19, Elijah nearly gives up by laying under a broom tree and praying for death. Therefore, if we read between the lines of Elijah's response, we could rightly discern a tone of incredulity and the implied question of, "why don't you do anything and why am I struggling for my life?"


Elijah may very well be speaking to the guttural, primordial question that has tormented the human heart for time immemorial: "why doesn't God do anything and why do we have to struggle so hard for life?" The answer to this angst-laden question really isn't the direction or "moral" of the story (no matter how much Elijah, or we, would like an answer!). The key to unlocking the importance of this story and what it says about God and humanity has less to do with addressing the question of "why" and, rather, considering the issue of "where." When God asks the question, "why are you here?" God isn't interested in the reasons Elijah has for hiding in the cave, God is really asking Elijah, "why the heck are you in a cave at all!" Very little, if anything, can be resolved from inside a cave!


There are many and varied reasons for why we may want to hide in our "caves" and pose the circular, never-ending question of "why" with regard to so much suffering and struggling that beset our lives and world. However, God knows full well that the most difficult questions about life cannot be addressed in isolation and seclusion. So, what does God do when we withdraw? God coaxes us from our caves with the whispering wind of the Spirit who nudges us softly, gently, but firmly into the truth that the most difficult questions of life are meant to be grappled with in the light of day and in partnership with others. Pat