Looking for fireworks?

Many among us sometimes feel at least a little disappointment that we do not have the spectacular experiences of God about which we read in Scripture.

In today’s first reading (1 Kings 19:9a, 11-16), the prophet Elijah has been going through a tumultuous time in his life and he seeks refuge in the Lord, fleeing to the place where God had revealed himself to Moses so spectacularly, but Elijah’s experience is different.

The word of the LORD came to him,
“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by.”

A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire.

After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

May the Lord always give us the grace to recognize his presence and to discern his voice.