June 14th, 2004, Friday of the 10th week in ordinary time. A reading from the first book of

kings. At the mountain of God, Horib, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. But 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 crutching 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.

A voice said to him,

Elijah, why are you here?

He replied,

I've been most zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts.

But the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant,

torn down your altars, and put your prophets to the sword.

I alone am left, and they seek to take my life. The Lord said to him, Go, take the road back to the desert near Damascus. When you arrive, you shall anoint Haseel as king of Aram.

Then you shall anoint Jihu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel, and Elisha, son of Shefatt of Abel Mahola, as prophet to succeed you.

The word of the Lord.

The responsorial song.

The response is, I long to see your face, O Lord.

Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call.

Have pity on me and answer me.

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