In today's First Reading, we see that Elijah, the prophet, has come to the end of his mission and will soon be taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot. Before that happens, he comes across Elishah, who was ploughing his fields behind "twelve yoke of oxen". That number of cattle would seem to indicate that Elishah was quite well off by the standards of the time. Just then, Elijah throws his mantle over Elishah. The message is clear - is being called to take up the prophetic mission of Elijah. But before he does so, Elishah asks to be allowed to say goodbye to his dear parents and Elijah agrees. But then, Elishah slaughters his oxen and roasts them on a fire made from the wooden plough and shares the meat with his men. Then, with absolutely nothing of his own in the world, he follows in the footsteps of Elijah. It is a picture of total commitment to the service of God. To what extent can each of us free ourselves from what we have and own to commit ourselves to following and proclaiming the Gospel more effectively? Are we slaves to what we own?