Holy and Glorious Prophet Elijah (Elias) (9th c. BC).
All-Night Vigil Feast. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy.
James 5:10-20. Luke 4:22-30.
Read James 5:10-20
Brothers and sisters, today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Prophet Elias (Elijah). This man’s life was filled with difficulties and suffering because of his conviction and prophetic ministry to the Truth. Our Lord stated that St. John the Baptist come with the spirit of Elijah in preparing His way before His public ministry. St. Paul mentions Elias today in his connection to the forgiveness of sins and healing from infirmities through prayer. The prophet Elias was a man of great and constant prayer. When he was on the run for his life, escaping from the evil queen Jezebel, he hides in a cave and receives the Lord’s blessing through a still small voice which encourages him to return and continue ministering. It is through prayer that sinners return to the Lord and are forgiven, and healing takes place. Let us emulate Holy Prophet Elias’ constant prayer and love of the Truth today and always!
St. Bede writes: If Elijah got what he prayed for, just think how much the persistent prayer of a righteous person is worth in the sight of God! But just in case you think that you could never measure up to someone as holy as Elijah, James adds that he was a man, just as we are, even if he was second to none in his virtue. – Concerning the Epistle of St. James