Daily Readings - Fri Jun 15 2018
1 Kings
9And when he had arrived there, he stayed in a cave. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?11And he said to him, "Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by. And there was a great and strong wind, tearing apart the mountains, and crushing the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind, there was an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake12And after the earthquake, there was a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the whisper of a gentle breeze13And when Elijah had heard it, he covered his face with his cloak, and going out, he stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there was a voice to him, saying: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" And he responded14"I have been very zealous on behalf of the Lord, the God of hosts. For the sons of Israel have forsaken your covenant. They have torn down your altars. They have killed your prophets with the sword. I alone remain. And they are seeking my life, so that they may take it away.15And the Lord said to him: "Go, and return on your way, through the desert, to Damascus. And when you have arrived there, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Syria16And you shall anoint Jehu, the son of Nimshi, as king over Israel. But Elisha, the son of Shaphat, who is from Abelmeholah, you shall anoint to be a prophet in your place
Matthew
27You have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not commit adultery.28But I say to you, that anyone who will have looked at a woman, so as to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart29And if your right eye causes you to sin, root it out and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body be cast into Hell30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body go into Hell31And it has been said: ‘Whoever would dismiss his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.32But I say to you, that anyone who will have dismissed his wife, except in the case of fornication, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever will have married her who has been dismissed commits adultery
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from 1 Kings 19.9a, 11-16, tells the story of Elijah, who, amidst turmoil and feeling isolated, experiences God's presence not in dramatic events like wind or earthquakes, but in a gentle breeze. This teaches us that God often speaks in the quiet moments, reminding us to trust in His plan even when we feel alone. Elijah's encounter emphasizes the importance of listening to God's voice and understanding that His presence is not always in the chaos but in the stillness.
The Gospel from Matthew 5.27-32 shifts our focus to the heart. Jesus expands the understanding of adultery beyond actions to include thoughts, highlighting the importance of purity in our intentions. He also addresses divorce, stressing that it should only occur in cases of unfaithfulness, underscoring the seriousness of commitments. This teaching invites us to reflect on our inner lives, ensuring our thoughts and actions align with God's will, and to approach relationships with integrity and respect.
Both readings encourage us to seek God in stillness and to examine our inner selves. Elijah's story reminds us to trust God's plan, while Jesus' teachings call us to purity and integrity. In our daily lives, this means taking moments to listen for God's gentle voice and ensuring our actions and thoughts reflect His teachings. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and maintain purity in heart and relationships, allowing His will to guide our lives.