The people of Israel were presented with a choice to accept the God of their fathers or to accept the pagan God, Baal. They could not serve both. God sent lightning from heaven to set ablaze the water-soaked offering upon the alter to convince the people that they should follow God and not Baal.

The God of Elijah is our God too, the creator of heaven and earth. God has already given us the greatest sign possible to win our loyalty and our affection. He has not sent lightning from heaven; rather He has sent His only begotten Son Jesus. Jesus is far greater than Elijah. The offering of Himself on the Cross is greater than the holocaust offered upon the alter erected by Elijah. In fact, Jesus is the fulfilment of all the great people and of all the marvellous events of the entire Old Testament era.

In any moment of doubt or temptation, we need to remember God's special sign to us. We should not look for a greater sign from God because we always recall the coming of Jesus among us as Man as well as the offering of Himself on the Cross at every Mass.