When you stand in the presence of the Divine, the Amazing, or the Powerful what do you ask for? Elisha will not leave Elijah in his last moments on earth in today’s reading from 2 Kings. They go on together, Elijah using his rolled up mantle to strike the water in order to part it so that they may cross dry shod to the other side. Elijah turns and asks what he can do for Elijah prior to being taken. How would you answer this question?
Elisha responds in a lovely way. He could have asked for so many things but instead he chooses to asks to inherit a double portion of the prophet’s spirit. Something about who Elijah was has captured Elisha’s attention and created within a desire to be similar, a desire to have what he exuded. Elijah says it is a hard thing that he asks for but says if he sees him as he leaves, then it shall be granted. We must have the eyes to see what it is we want.
Elisha had clearly seen what he wanted–it was not riches, fame or long life. He did not ask for an easy road. He requested a spiritual gift and then kept his eyes open. I find that many people are telling me what they admire in me and sometimes I feel overwhelmed by insights and memories. It is as if I am receiving a double share of blessings when I listen to these messages–of how I have lived and how I am living. I wish we could all do this on a regular basis–tell the best of what we see in people and then commit to emulating it. How powerful would that be?
Peace,
Suzanne
Reflection Questions
Who do you emulate? What gift would you ask them for if they had the power to give it?
Do you keep your eyes open for the gifts around you?
Prayer
Open my eyes, Creator, to what I need to see. Open my heart so that I may seek in accordance to Your Holy Will, the right gifts that you wish for me to discover. Open my mind to think creatively about what You are asking from me. Amen.
God in all things 
I like this concept of a double share of blessings and how the photo echoes that theme with the two tiny birds with their beaks open for food. I think we are also double blessed when we see and express something we admire in another person in the sense that that person is blessed through an acknowledgment of their gift while we are blessed through recognition of that quality as a spiritual goal for ourselves. Thanks for a lovely reflection on this reading.
You’ll be interested to know that this photo is a detail of one of the doors of Sagrada Familia.
Yes, like those two birds we are hungry–we are best fed on double portions of goodness.
Thinking of you. Xo.
Wouldn’t hat be something, if people just randomly shared things they admired about you. Imagine how different daily interactions would be, how people’s self esteems would burst with all that positive language. But it seems difficult when you think about just, out of the blue, telling someone you like how kind they are to others, or how you admire their kindness. Perhaps it is something that could be started with a close friend or family member and branch out from there?
Looks like I’ve got a new goal to start, lol
Wouldn’t it be something indeed!? Let me know how it goes. Hugs.
Yes a genuine compliment is so wonderful. I still recall times when a “stranger” complimented me “out of the blue” and lifted my spirits. In my family my siblings and I have always complimented each other quite lavishly. I never really gave it any thought before but am now thinking how this habit has made us a close family. I think I too will try to compliment others more often especially when I notice something that I admire.
Yes, you are quite an affirming and grateful person. Share that even more widely; it would be a great gift.