June 14 | Memorial
St. Elisha, prophet
The biblical cycle of Elisha (2 Kgs) is strongly linked with that of Elijah. Elisha's calling is placed after the theophany of the Horeb (1 Kgs 19: 16-21). According to the divine order, he is the one who is to succeed the Tishbite; Elisha therefore becomes Elijah’s servant and disciple (2 Kgs 3:11).
Like Elijah, Elisha is presented by the Church Fathers as a Christ figure, as a thaumaturge. He is also presented as a model for monastic life. Numerous Church Fathers attest to Elisha's virginity following that of Elijah. The medieval Carmelites reproduced these lines insisting that Elijah and Elisha were the first to consecrate themselves to God in virginity. Prayer also plays a primordial role in Elisha's life: it is the source of the miracles the Lord performs through him. Elisha is also portrayed as someone withdrawn from society. His initial renunciation, sacrificing his oxen and plow before following Elijah, is an example to exhort him to detach himself from worldly concerns (Jer., Ep. 71:3). For Cassian, Elisha is one of the founders of monasticism and, in a more special way, a teacher of poverty (Inst. 7:14,2).
Elisha is constantly present as Elijah's disciple, his spiritual son, his heir, the disciple par excellence. Elisha is not Elijah's only disciple but within this group of disciples, Elisha occupies the first place.
Call of Elisha
Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak on him.
Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! What have I done to you?”
Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to the people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah to serve him. (1 Kgs 19:19-21)
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Recent Publication from Edizioni Carmelitane:
Les prophètes Élie et Élisée au Moyen Âge Latin
Tome 1. Vllle-IXe siècles. L'époque carolingienne
Tome 2. Xe-début XIIe siècle. Des commentaires carolingiens à la
Glossa ordinaria
Tome 3. La renaissance et le tournant du XIIe siècle
Tome 4. XIIIe siècle. L'essor des universités
Coffret: Tome 1, 2, 3 et 4
