2 Kings 2:11-12 "And as they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and cried, "My father, my father! the chariots of Israel and its horseman!" And he saw him no more."

At first, Elijah had asked Elisha to stay behind, knowing, it seems, that his time on earth was coming to an end. Elisha insisted he would not leave Elijah, though, so the two of them ended up being in mid-conversation when the fiery chariot and horses came for Elijah. (2 Kings 2:6-11). During this conversation, Elijah had asked Elisha what he would like Elijah to do for him before he was taken, and Elisha asked for a double share of Elijah's spirit. Elijah said this was a hard thing, but if Elisha saw Elijah being taken, then it would be so, if he did not, it would not be (2 Kings 2:9-10). Since Elisha did see Elijah being taken up to heaven, Elisha was given what he asked.

Although Elijah did not die the way that we do, the chariot of fire took him from Elisha and the world just as surely as death would. The chariot of fire separated Elijah and Elisha as they were speaking in order to take Elijah to Heaven, it signaled a complete end to the earthly relationship. Elisha, unlike most of us, had the assurance that this man he thought of as his father was in Heaven, but he was nonetheless deprived of his company, he "saw him no more" and he lamented that by crying out "My father, my father!"

When my father was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis a few years ago, it was a time of great division in my family that had begun with the COVID lockdowns. When I learned that my dad had been diagnosed, my stomach sank and my heart broke, not only because I knew this disease was terminal, but also because I worried I'd never be able to see my father again. Fear of COVID and of the unvaccinated, of which I am one, kept me from being able to visit him. I prayed and I prayed that my father would not die before things had eased enough for me to be able to reestablish some kind of relationship with him. I begged God that, if my dad did die while this fear held sway, I would at least be allowed to attend his funeral. God, in His great goodness, answered my prayers. Eventually, I was allowed to visit with my dad in his home, and I know that he knew I loved him tremendously before he died. When he was hospitalized before his death, I was even able to see him and bring him communion every day! And a priest friend was able to give him the Anointing of the Sick and the Apostolic Blessing!

So, like Elisha, I was granted what I asked for, and I am eternally grateful to God for that. I am still heartbroken about losing my dad, but I know he was given everything he needed to be ready to meet God, and I was given everything I needed to be able to go on without him.