June 10, 2006, Wednesday of the 10th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the first book of kings.

Ahab sent to all the children of Israel and had the prophets assemble on Mount Carmel.

Elijah appeared to all the people and said,

How long will you straddle the issue?

If the Lord is God, follow him.

If Baal, follow him.

The people, however, did not answer him.

So Elijah said to the people,

I am the only surviving prophet of the Lord, and there are 450 prophets of Baal. Give us two young bulls. Let them choose one, cut it into pieces,

and place it on the wood, but start no fire. I shall prepare the other and place it on the wood, but start no fire.

I shall prepare the other and place it on the wood, but shall start no fire.

You shall call on your gods, and I will call on the Lord.

The God who answers with fire is God.

All the people answered, agreed. Elijah then said to the prophets of Baal, choose one young bull and prepare it first, for there are more of you. Call upon your gods, but do not

start the fire. Taking the young bull that was turned

over to them, they prepared it and called on Baal from morning to noon, saying,

Answer us, Baal. But there was no sound, and no one answering.

And they hopped around the altar they had prepared.

When it was noon, Elijah taunted them.

Call louder, for he is a god and may be meditating,

or may have retired, or may be on a journey.

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