June 17, 2006, Wednesday of the 11th week in ordinary time. A reading from the second book of

Kings. When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, he and Alicia were on

their way from Gilgall. Elijah said to Alicia, please stay here. The Lord has sent

me on to the Jordan. As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you,

Alicia replied. And so the two went on together. Fifty of the guild prophets followed, and when

the two stopped at the Jordan, they stood facing them at a distance. Elijah took his mantle,

rolled it up, and struck the water, which divided, and both crossed over on dry ground.

When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken

from you. Elisha answered, may I receive a double portion of your spirit?

You have asked something that is not easy, Elijah replied. Still, if you see me taken up from you,

your wish will be granted. Otherwise, not.

As they walked on conversing, a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them,

and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

When Elisha saw it happen, he cried out, My father, my father, Israel's chariots and drivers. But when he could no

longer see him, Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two. Then he picked up Elisha's

mantle that had fallen from him and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan.

Weielding the mantle that had fallen from Elijah, Elisha struck the water in his turn,

and said, Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah? When Elisha struck the water,, it divided and he crossed over. The word of the Lord.

The responsorial Psalm. The response is, let your hearts take comfort all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, O Lord, which you have in store for those who fear you,

and which, toward those who take refuge in you, you show in the sight of the children of men.

Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. You hide them in the shelter of your

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