Aug 7: A Sound of Sheer Silence

Rembrandt van Rijn: Elijah on Mount Horeb

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I: 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a

[Then the word of the LORD said to Elijah], "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence (NRSV, 1 Kgs 19:11-12).

Father, your prophet Elijah heard you speak to him on Mount Horeb in a sound of sheer silence. Moses heard you speak to him on Horeb in the thunder and lightening of a mountain storm. In reality, Father you speak to everyone in every place and every time in the depth of our being through your one Word who reveals to us who you are and what you would have us do. May we listen ever more fully to that one Word as we say “yes” to you in every situation and grow constantly in your life and power.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.