OC: Solemnity

OCD: Feast

 

 

The prophet Elijah appears in Scripture as a man of God who lived always in

His presence and fought zealously for the worship of the one God.  He

defended God's law in a solemn contact on Mt. Carmel, and afterwards was

given on Mt. Horeb an intimate experience of the living God.  The hermits

who instituted a form of monastic life in honor of Our Lady on Mt. Carmel in

the twelfth century, followed monastic tradition in turning to Elijah as

their Father and model.

 

Evening Prayer I

 

Hymn

 

 

Psalmody

 

Ant. 1 Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch.

 

Psalm 110

 

I will thank the Lord with all my heart

in the meeting of the just and their assembly.

Great are the works of the Lord,

to be pondered by all who love them.

 

Majestic and glorious his work,

his justice stands firm for ever.

He makes us remember his wonders.

The Lord is compassion and love.

 

He gives food to those who fear him;

keeps his covenant ever in mind.

He has shown his might to his people

by giving them the lands of the nations.

 

His works are justice and truth:

his precepts are all of them sure,

standing firm for ever and ever:

they are made in uprightness and truth.

 

He has sent deliverance to his people

and established his covenant for ever.

Holy his name, to be feared.

 

To fear the Lord is the first stage of wisdom; all who do so prove

themselves wise.

His praise shall last for ever!

 

Ant.     Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch.

 

Ant. 2 How long will you limp between two sides? If the Lord is God, follow

him.

 

Psalm 113

Not to us, Lord, not to us,

but to your name give the glory

for the sake of your love and your truth, lest the heathen say: 'Where is

their God?'

 

But our God is in the heavens;

he does whatever he wills.

Their idols are silver and gold,

the work of human hands.

 

They have mouths but they cannot speak;

they have eyes but they cannot see;

they have ears but they cannot hear;

they have nostrils but they cannot smell.

 

With their hands they cannot feel;

with their feet they cannot walk.

No sound comes from their throats.

Their makers will come to be like them

and so will all who trust in them.

 

Sons of Israel, trust in the Lord;

he is their help and their shield.

Sons of Aaron, trust in the Lord;

he is their help and their shield.

 

You who fear him, trust in the Lord;

he is their help and their shield.

He remembers us, and he will bless us;

he will bless the sons of Israel.

He will bless the sons of Aaron.

 

The Lord will bless those who fear him,

the little no less than the great:

to you may the Lord grant increase,

to you and all your children.

 

May you be blessed by the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth.

The heavens belong to the Lord

but the earth he has given to men.

 

The dead shall not praise the Lord,

nor those who go down into the silence.

But we who live bless the Lord

now and for ever. Amen.

 

Ant.    How long will you limp between two sides? If the Lord is God, follow

him.

 

Ant. 3 The Lord will reward his servants the prophets.

 

 

Canticle: Rev 11:17-18; 12:10-12

 

We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who are and who were, that you

have taken your great power and begun to reign.

 

The nations raged,

but your wrath came,

and the time for the dead to be judged,

for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear

your name, both small and great.

 

Now the salvation and the power

and the kingdom of our God

and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren

has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

 

And they have conquered him

by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony,

for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Rejoice, then, O heaven,

and you that dwell therein.

 

Ant. The Lord will reward his servants the prophets.

 

Reading

James 5:16-18

The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Elijah was a

man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not

rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then

he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its

fruit.

 

 

Responsory

R/. Blessed are they * who see you. Repeat R/.

V/. And are honored with your friendship * who see you. Glory ... R/.

 

 

Canticle of Mary

In former days God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets, but in these

last days he has spoken to us through his Son, whom he has appointed the

heir of all things.

 

 

Intercessions

 

Let us give joyful praise to the living and true God, who chose the prophet

Elijah to proclaim his power and mercy; let us say to him:

 

R/. Lord, make us witnesses of your love.

 

Lord, you accepted the sacrifice of Elijah and consumed it with fire from

heaven; - accept our evening sacrifice which we offer for the good of the

Church. R/.

 

When Elijah prayed on the mountain you sent saving rain from heaven; - fill

us who have been called to Carmel with a spirit of prayer, so that we may

draw a shower of grace to the world. R/.

 

You gave to the prophet Elijah the ministry of reconciling parents and

children; - make us workers for peace, so that the peace of Christ may reign

in the world. R/.

 

You made Elijah the defender of your honor and of true worship; - increase

our concern for justice, so that by giving you all that is your due, we may

serve our brothers and sisters in the spirit of the Gospel. R/.

 

You took the prophet Elijah to yourself in a whirlwind of fire; - graciously

admit our departed brothers and sisters into the embrace of your glory. R/.

Our Father .

 

 

Prayer

Almighty, ever living God,

Your prophet Elijah, our Father,

lived always in Your presence

and was zealous for the honor due to Your name.

May we, Your servants,

always seek Your face

and bear witness to Your love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns

with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

 

Office of Readings

 

Invitatory

Come let us adore the living God, who speaks to us through the prophets.

 

Hymn

 

Psalmody

Ant. 1 Lord, I have had enough: take my life, I am no better than my

ancestors.

 

Psalm 10

In the Lord I have taken my refuge.

How can you say to my soul:

'Fly like a bird to its mountain.

 

'See the wicked bracing their bow;

they are fixing their arrows on the string to shoot upright men in the dark.

Foundations once destroyed,

what can the just do?'

 

The Lord is in his holy temple,

the Lord, whose throne is in heaven.

His eyes look down on the world;

his gaze tests mortal men.

 

The Lord tests the just and the wicked:

the lover of violence he hates.

He sends fire and brimstone on the wicked; he sends a scorching wind as

their lot.

 

The Lord is just and loves justice:

the upright shall see his face.

 

Ant.     Lord, I have had enough: take my life, I am no better than my

ancestors.

 

Ant. 2 An angel of the Lord said to him: Get up and eat, for there is a

great journey before you.

 

Psalm 27

 

To you, O Lord, I call,

my rock, hear me.

If you do not heed I shall become

like those in the grave.

 

Hear the voice of my pleading

as I call for help,

as I lift up my hands in prayer

to your holy place.

 

Do not drag me away with the wicked,

with the evil-doers,

who speak words of peace to their neighbors but with evil in their hearts.

 

Blessed be the Lord for he has heard

my cry, my appeal.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts.

I was helped, my heart rejoices

and I praise him with my song.

 

The Lord is the strength of his people,

a fortress where his anointed find help.

Save your people; bless Israel your heritage.

Be their shepherd and carry them for ever.

 

Ant.    An angel of the Lord said to him: Get up and eat, for there is a

great journey before you.

 

Ant. 3 Elijah ate and drank, and in the strength of that food he walked to

the mountain of God.

 

Psalm 29

 

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me and have not let my enemies

rejoice over me.

 

O Lord, I cried to you for help

and you, my God, have healed me.

O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead, restored me to life from

those who sink into the grave.

 

Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him, give thanks to his holy name.

His anger lasts a moment; his favor all through life.

At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.

 

I said to myself in my good fortune:

'Nothing will ever disturb me.'

Your favor had set me on a mountain fastness, then you hid your face and I

was put to confusion.

 

To you, Lord, I cried,

to my God I made appeal:

'What profit would my death be, my going to the grave?

Can dust give you praise or proclaim your truth?'

 

The Lord listened and had pity.

The Lord came to my help.

For me you have changed my mourning into dancing, you removed my sackcloth

and clothed me with joy.

So my soul sings psalms to you unceasingly.

O Lord my God, I will thank you forever.

 

Ant.     Elijah ate and drank, and in the strength of that food he walked to

the mountain of God.

 

V/.  You are a man of God.

R/. And the word of God in your mouth is true.

 

 

First Reading

OCD

1 Kings 19: 4-9, 11-14

 

Second Reading

>From a Homily of Pope St. Gregory on the Book

of the Prophet Ezekiel

 

In divine contemplation the spirit is often abstracted to such a degree that

it is already granted the joy of partaking a little, in image as it were, of

that eternal freedom which 'eye has not seen nor ear heard;' but then,

hampered by the weight of its own mortality, it falls back into the depths

and is held captive in penalty for its sins.  It has glimpsed the delights

of true freedom and longs to escape from its captivity but, since it cannot,

it keeps its gaze fixed upon the imprisoning doors.  This is why, when the

Jews had been freed from slavery to Egypt, each of them stood adoring in the

doorway of his tent when God spoke and the pillar of cloud was visible.

 

Wherever we direct our mental gaze, there we may be said to stand.  That is

why Elijah said:  'The Lord lives, in whose sight I stand.'  He did indeed

stand before God, for his heart was intent on God.  That the Jews gazed at

the pillar of cloud and stood at the doors of their tents in adoration, has

this meaning:  when the human mind perceives these high and heavenly things

-- albeit in image

-- the elevation of its thought has already lifted it free from the limits

of its bodily habitation; and although it is denied sight of the divine

substance, it humble adores Him whose power it can already see by spiritual

illumination.

 

This is why Elijah is described as standing at the mouth of his cave and

veiling his face when he heard the voice of the Lord speaking to him; for as

soon as the voice of heavenly understanding enters the mind through the

grace of contemplation, the whole man is no longer within the cave, for his

soul is no longer taken up with matters of the

flesh:  intent on leaving the bounds of martality, he stands at the cave's

mouth.

 

But if a man stands at the mouth of the cave and hears the word of God with

the heart's ear, he must veil his face.

For when heavenly grace leads us to the understanding of higher things, the

rarer the heights to which we are raised, the more we should abase ourselves

in our own estimation by humility:  we must not try to know 'more than is

fitting; we must know as it befits us to know.'  Otherwise, through

over-familiarity with the invisible, we risk going astray; and we might

perhaps look for material light in what is immaterial. For to cover the face

while listening with the ear means hearing with our mind the voice of Him

who is within us, yet averting the eyes of the heart from every bodily

appearance.  If we do this, there will be no risk of our spirit interpreting

as something corporeal that which is everywhere in its entirety and

everywhere uncircumscribed.

 

Beloved brothers, we have already learned through our Redeemer's death,

resurrection and ascension into heaven, what the joys of eternity mean, and

we know that our fellow-citizens we have known.  While our feet stand within

the walls of His holy Church, let us keep our hearts facing towards the

freedom of our heavenly fatherland.  We are still encumbered, it is true, by

the many cares of this corruptible life.  If then we cannot leave the cave

completely, let us at least stand at its mouth, and go out whenever we are

granted the favor of doing so by the grace of our Redeemer Who lives and

reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without

end.  Amen.

 

Responsory

R/.  The word of the Lord came to Elijah.*  Go out and stand on the mountain

before the Lord.

V/.  He went out and stood at the entrance to the cave, and the Lord passed

by in the whisper of a gentle breeze.* Go out and stand on the mountain

before the Lord.

 

 

TE DEUM

 

Prayer

Almighty, ever living God,

Your prophet Elijah, our Father,

lived always in Your presence

and was zealous for the honor due to Your name.

May we, Your servants,

always seek Your face

and bear witness to Your love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns

with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

Morning Prayer

 

Hymn

 

Psalmody

Ant. 1 God lives; I am standing in his presence.

 

Psalms of Sunday Week I

 

Ant. 2 Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord; for the

Lord is passing by.

 

Ant. 3 With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord God of hosts.

 

Reading

2 Pt 1:19-21

We have confirmation of what was said in prophecies; and you will be right

to depend on prophecy and take it as a lamp for lighting a way through the

dark until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds. At the

same time, we must be careful to remember that the interpretation of

scriptural prophecy is never a matter for the individual. Why? Because no

prophecy ever came from man's initiative. When men spoke for God it was the

Holy Spirit that moved them.

 

Responsory

R/. I will be satisfied, Lord, * when your glory appears. Repeat R/.

V/. And in righteousness I will see your face, * when your glory appears.

Glory ... R/.

 

Canticle of Zechariah

Lord God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, give proof this day that you are

the God of Israel, and that I am your servant, and that all I have said is

at your command.

 

Intercessions

God our Father spoke in former days through the prophets, but today he

speaks to us in his Son, through whom he wishes the whole world to be joined

to him. Let us humbly pray:

 

R/. Lord, draw us to yourself.

 

Lord, you revealed yourself to the prophet Elijah in silence and solitude; -

help us to put aside all that prevents us from hearing your voice, so that

we may seek and find you. R/.

 

When he was thirsty, you gave Elijah refreshing water at the torrent of

Karith; - may we drink at the living springs of love and contemplation. R/.

 

As he walked to Mount Horeb, you filled Elijah with strength; - may we who

are strengthened by the Body and Blood of Christ press on unwearied in our

journey to you. R/.

 

Lord, you revealed yourself to Elijah in the whisper of a gentle breeze; -

in attentive silence and with an obedient spirit may we receive every

inspiration of the Holy Spirit. R/.

 

Lord, you raised up Elijah like a fire and made him zealous for your glory;

- may we too burn with the fire of your love, to serve the Church and our

brethren in all our work. R/.

Our Father .

 

Prayer

Almighty, ever-living God,

your prophet Elijah, our Father,

lived always in your presence

and was zealous for the honor due to your name.

May we, your servants, always seek your face and bear witness to your love.

We ask this through our Lord.

 

Evening Prayer II

 

Hymn

 

Psalmody

Ant.    I Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of God in

your mouth is true.

 

Psalm 14

Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent and dwell on your holy mountain?

 

He who walks without fault;

he who acts with justice

and speaks the truth from his heart;

he who does not slander with his tongue;

 

he who does no wrong to his brother,

who casts no slur on his neighbor,

who holds the godless in disdain,

but honors those who fear the Lord;

 

he who keeps his pledge, come what may;

who takes no interest on a loan

and accepts no bribes against the innocent.

Such a man will stand firm for ever.

 

Ant.    Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of God in

your mouth is true.

 

Ant. 2 The Lord said to Elijah: Go and present yourself to Ahab; I will send

rain upon the earth.

 

 

Psalm 111

Happy the man who fears the Lord,

who takes delight in all his commands.

His sons will be powerful on earth;

the children of the upright are blessed.

 

Riches and wealth are in his house;

his justice stands firm for ever.

He is a light in the darkness for the upright:

he is generous, merciful and just.

 

The good man takes pity and lends,

he conducts his affairs with honor.

The just man will never waver:

he will be remembered for ever.

 

He has no fear of evil news;

with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.

With a steadfast heart he will not fear; he will see the downfall of his

foes.

 

Open-handed, he gives to the poor;

his justice stands firm for ever.

His head will be raised in glory.

 

The wicked man sees and is angry,

grinds his teeth and fades away;

the desire of the wicked leads to doom.

 

Ant.    The Lord said to Elijah: Go and present yourself to Ahab; I will

send rain upon the earth.

 

Ant. 3 Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind, and Elisha saw him no more.

 

Canticle: Rev 15:3-4

Great and wonderful are your deeds,

O Lord God the Almighty!

Just and true are your ways,

O King of the ages!

 

Who shall not fear and glorify your name, O Lord?

For you alone are holy.

All nations shall come and worship you,

for your judgments have been revealed.

 

Ant.  Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind, and Elisha saw him no more.

 

Reading

2 Kgs 2:11-12

As they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of

fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into

heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, 'My father, my father! the chariot

of Israel and its horseman!' And he saw him no more.

 

Responsory

 

R/. Elisha lifted the cloak of Elijah: * he struck the waters and they

divided. Repeat R/.

V/. Because the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha: * he struck the waters

and they divided. Glory ... R/.

 

Canticle of Mary

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the day of the Lord comes,

that great and terrible day. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their

sons and the hearts of sons to their fathers.

 

Intercessions as in Evening Prayer I

 

Prayer

Almighty, ever-living God,

your prophet Elijah, our Father,

lived always in your presence

and was zealous for the honor due to your name.

May we, your servants, always seek your face and bear witness to your love.

We ask this through our Lord.

 

************

for Mass

 

 

Entrance Antiphon

OC

Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you are God,

and are winning back their hearts.

 

OCD

The Prophet Elijah cried out:  "The Lord God of Israel lives, in whose

presence I stand!"

 

 

Prayer

(see above)

 

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord,

look with favor on your Church's offering.

Accept the gifts we bring You now

as once You accepted by a miraculous sign the sacrifice of Your prophet

Elijah.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon

Elijah ate and drank, and, strengthened by that food, walked all the way to

the mountain of God.

 

Prayer after Communion

Lord God,

You have nourished us at the table of Your Son with the food and drink of

angels.

May we constantly seek You here in faith, and so rejoice for ever in the

sight of You when we reach the Mount of Your Glory.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 

First Reading

1Kings: 19: 1-9, 11-14

Ahab told Jez'ebel all that Eli'jah had done, and how he had slain all the

prophets with the sword.  Then Jez'ebel sent a messenger to Eli'jah, saying,

"So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the

life of one of them by this time tomorrow."  Then he was afraid, and he

arose and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah,

and left his servant there.  But he himself went a day's journey into the

wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he

might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am

no better than my fathers."  And he lay down and slept under a broom tree;

and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."

And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones

and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again.  And the angel

of the LORD came again a second time, and touched him, and said, "Arise and

eat, else the journey will be too great for you."  And he arose, and ate and

drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to

Horeb the mount of God.  And there he came to a cave, and lodged there; and

behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, "What are you

doing here, Eli'jah?"  And he said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount

before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong

wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks 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 still small voice.  And when Eli'jah

heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the

entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him, and said, "What

are you doing here, Eli'jah?"  He said, "I have been very jealous for the

LORD, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken thy covenant,

thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I

only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away."

 

Responsorial Psalm

R/.  I keep the Lord always in my sight.

 

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in You.

I say to the Lord:  'You are my God'.

My happiness lies in You alone'.  R/.

 

O Lord, it is You Who are my portion and cup; it is You Yourself Who are my

prize.

The lot marked out for me is my delight:

welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!  R/.

 

I keep the Lord ever in my sight:

since He is at my right hand I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in

safety.  R/.

 

For You will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let Your beloved know

decay.

You will show me the path of life,

the fulness of joy in Your presence,

at Your right hand happiness for ever.  R/.

 

 

Second Reading

1Peter 1: 8-12

Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you

believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy.  As the outcome

of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls. The prophets who

prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about

this salvation; they inquired what person or time was indicated by the

Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and

the subsequent glory.  It was revealed to them that they were serving not

themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by

those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from

heaven, things into which angels long to look.

 

Gospel

Luke 9: 28-36

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and

James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the

appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling

white.  And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli'jah, who appeared

in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at

Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and

when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.

And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is

well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for

Moses and one for Eli'jah" -- not knowing what he said. As he said this, a

cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the

cloud.  And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my

Chosen; listen to him!" And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found

alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what

they had seen.