today's other readings are Psalm 31 and Matt. 6: 1-6, 16-18
In St. Patrick's Church in Markham, ON, one finds a fascinating stained glass window. It is located just inside the main doors of the church, and it is overhead. Most interestingly, it is oriented so that when one leaves the church you get the proper view of it.
The image is based on today's first reading. In the window one sees an image of ascending into heaven in a flaming chariot with horses. There we see Elijah in the chariot, letting go of his mantle. But fascinatingly, Elisha is nowhere to be found in the window.
The message of the window is clear. The mantle is being passed onto each person leaving the church after mass. We are called, as we leave the church, to live out what we have just celebrated. For we have been given a mantle of faith that is being passed onto us from the previous generation. We too, one day, will pass on the mantle to the next generation.