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Elijah & the Widow...1 Kings 17:8-15
After some time, however, the brook ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land. So the LORD said to him: "Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have designated a widow there to provide for you." He left and went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, "Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink." She left to get it, and he called out after her, "Please bring along a bit of bread." "As the LORD, your God, lives," she answered, "I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die." "Do not be afraid," Elijah said to her. "Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, 'The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well. [1 Kings 17:8-15]
The purpose of the Elijah Cup, a consecrated chalice, is to provide a focal point for prayer. We are all aware of the need for vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and to the religious life. But sometimes we forget just how powerful praying for an increase in vocations can be. In 1 Kings 17, during a drought, Elijah tells the poor widow of Zarephath that if she makes him a small loaf of bread with the last of her flour and oil, her "jar of flour will not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the Lord sends rain upon the earth." In faith, the widow baked the bread and fed Elijah. For the next year, the widow, her son, and Elijah ate bread made from the bowl of flour and jug of oil. Likewise, if we pray with the faith of the widow of Zarephath, our cup will never run dry! We will always have priests to bring us Jesus in the Eucharist.
The 2nd Vatican Counsel instructs us that it is the job of the laity to pray for and raise up vocations. Cardinal O’Malley echoes this call by calling vocations, "Everybody’s Business." Praying is the most powerful way to support vocations. A vocation is a call from the Holy Spirit, a gift from God that is nurtured in prayer. When we pray for vocations, we lift up to our Father those men and women who he is calling in a very special way.
Each week at our 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, the celebrant will use the Elijah Cup as the chalice or a precious blood cup. After purifying the Elijah Cup at the end of Communion, a family, individual, or couple will be called forward to receive the Elijah Cup. They will receive a blessing and take the cup home, putting it in a place of honor. Each day for a week, during prayer time (morning, bedtime or at meals), they pray for an increase and perseverance of vocations. The following Sunday they return the Elijah Cup with the gifts of bread and wine at the Offertory.
A prayer journal also travels with the Elijah Cup. Each week the family, individual, or couple that has the cup enters a thought, prayer, or scripture verse. Over time, this diary becomes a spiritual journal for the parish.
Praying for vocations is the most powerful way to support vocations. A vocation is a call from the Holy Spirit, a gift from God that is nurtured in prayer. When we pray for vocations, we lift up to our Father those men and women who he is calling in a very special way. If you are interested in hosting the Elijah Cup for a week, please contact a vocations committee member or Michael Chalsen at 978-663-9564 or mchalsen@comcast.net.
St. Andrew Vocations Committee:
Michael Chalsen, Chair
Ed McLean
Kent Niebuhr
Michael Sullivan
Fr. Michael Parise, Advisor
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