It has been awhile since I have referenced The Chosen in one of my reflections. Today’s first reading from the first book of Kings reminded me of this scene from Season 1:
Prior to this scene we saw Nicodemus meeting with Jesus at night, so as to not be seen by his fellow Jews. Jesus reveals to him that He is, in fact, the Son of God. The long awaited Messiah. And Nicodemus accepts this as truth. Later, he is seen speaking to his wife about leaving his position as biblical scholar and respected man of the community. His wife decries about all they will be giving up. Money, status, honor and power. Nicodemus is conflicted. Should he remain in his position. Comfortable and set for life? Or should he give up everything to follow Jesus and be set for eternity? Ultimately, as this scene portrays, Nicodemus stays behind. And remains tormented over his decision.
Contrast this story with our reading from 1st Kings. Elijah, the great prophet, knows he will be leaving the earth as he ages. His time serving the Lord on earth is about over. But he needs to anoint a successor. And he makes his way to Elisha. He finds the young man hard at work in the field plowing with 12 oxen. Elijah calls him but Elisha returns to his team and gets to work disbanding all that he has. He takes the oxen, slaughters them, boils their meat using the equipment as fuel for the fire. He then gives the meat to his people to eat. In other words, there is nothing left when he is done. His life as he knew it was over. He then followed Elijah completely. Without reservation.
As the title of the song by The Clash states: “Should I stay or should I go” I think we have many decision points in our lives where we are faced with this question. Where to go to college? Close by home or far away. What about that job offer that will take you to another state or another country. Do you go on that motorcycle trip with friends to Alaska that will take you away from home for a month (can you tell that this is a recent decision I had to make).
But what about our faith lives? I recall a friend from our church asking me at least a half dozen times to attend a Cursillo weekend. I turned him down every time. Until the seventh time he asked. And I said yes. And it changed everything. As a kid faced with the choice to be an altar boy. To return to the Catholic faith after being away for a year. To marry a Non-Christian. Every choice either draws us closer or farther away from Jesus. Every one. I often look at the hobbies and activities that I have and wonder are they for me or for God? Truthfully, I have a very hard time answering these questions. Do I ride motorcycles to bring me in touch with persons that my faith can impact or do I ride because I merely enjoy it. Even though it takes me away from my faith at times.
Are we Nicodemus or are we Elisha? I would say we are both. We have Nicodemus moments and we have Elisha moments. And I think we all strive to increase the Elisha in ourselves. To leave the yoke of oxen behind. To let faith be our guide.
