Sister Maria Catherine is a perpetually professed member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. She has a master’s in theology from Ave Maria University and teaches high school theology in Chicago.
Though the canon of revelation closed with the death of the last Apostles, Jesus’ closest followers, the gift of prophecy still exists in the church, Sister Maria Toon, OP, says in reflecting on the Mass readings for Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020.
Elisha’s travels allow him to take advantage of a married couple’s hospitality in this passage. God rewards those who generously provide for God’s kingdom. After being on the receiving end of others’ generosity, the Lord has shown me both how humbling it is to receive gifts from benefactors, but also that he blesses souls richly who respond with foresight and provide for the church. The wife’s conversion and salvation could very well depend on these small acts of generosity that she gives to the prophet.
Many of the Resurrection narratives take a similar approach – the Lord’s disciples flounder and feel despondent, unaware of the significance of his death and absence.