I. Charism - La Salle.org

II. CHARISM IN THE BIBLE 21
Other accounts of prophetic vocation, marked by practically the
same charisms are just as important such as those of Elisha (2K 2:1-
18), Amos (7:10-17 and 9:1-4), Hosea (1:1-9; 3:1-5) and second
and third Isaiah (Is 40:1-11; 61:1-6).
The charism of Jeremiah is prophetic fearlessness.
5. Charism is the strength to start afresh.
After fulfilling his prophetic task Elijah was called again (1K 19). We
find the story of Elijah in 1K 17-20 and 2K 1-2. The calling of Elijah
is directed towards the struggle against the idols of Baal, the fertility
god. Elijah defends and proclaims the God of faithfulness, morality,
water, fire and social justice (1K 17-18) and of health (2K 1).
He is a prophet who is also afraid when he is to confront queen
Jezabel and he flees (1K 19). He feels that he is all alone and defeated
(1K 19:4-5). Elijah is a good prophet - even though we have no
account of his first calling - just as we are good Christians without
extras. Yahweh’s order is clear: “Get up and eat! For the journey is
beyond your strength”. Strengthened, Elijah is questioned by God
on his motivation. The prophet then describes his situation as one
of zeal and utter persecution. You could say that after being nourished
by Yahweh the prophet is daring to attribute his setbacks to
him. But his interior fire, his zeal, will have to be changed into a
divine breeze, then he will be able to accept further orders: “Be off,
go back, on your way to the wilderness of Damascus!…”. That
means, take up your task again.
The charism of Elijah is the strength to start again.