Daily Readings - Sat Jun 16 2018
1 Kings
16And 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 place19Therefore, Elijah, setting out from there, found Elisha, the son of Shaphat, plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. And he himself was one of those who were plowing with the twelve yoke of oxen. And when Elijah had gone to him, he cast his mantle over him20And immediately, leaving behind the oxen, he ran after Elijah. And he said, "I beg you to let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." And he said to him: "Go, and turn back. For what was mine to do, I have done concerning you.21Then, turning back from him, he took a pair of oxen, and he slew them. And he cooked the flesh with the plow of the oxen. And he gave it to the people, and they ate. And rising up, he went and followed Elijah, and he ministered to him
Matthew
33Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord.34But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God35nor by earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king36Neither shall you swear an oath by your own head, because you are not able to cause one hair to become white or black37But let your word ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For anything beyond that is of evil
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of vocation, integrity, and the simplicity of living a life rooted in faith. In the first reading, we encounter the prophet Elijah calling Elisha to follow him. Elisha, though deeply rooted in his life as a farmer, responds without hesitation, leaving behind his oxen and family to embrace the call to prophecy. This moment highlights the radical nature of discipleship, where God’s invitation demands a complete surrender of our plans and securities. Elisha’s willingness to let go of everything to follow Elijah reminds us that true faith often requires us to step into the unknown, trusting in God’s providence.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about the importance of integrity in our words and actions. He condemns the practice of swearing oaths, emphasizing that our “Yes” should mean “Yes” and our “No” mean “No.” This teaching challenges us to live with simplicity and honesty, avoiding the temptation to manipulate or deceive others through our speech. Jesus is calling us to a way of life where our words reflect the truth of who we are and the values we hold. This is not merely about avoiding lies but about cultivating a deep authenticity that flows from a heart committed to God.
These readings are connected by the theme of living with integrity and faithfulness. Elisha’s response to Elijah’s call shows us what it means to trust God completely, while Jesus’ teaching on oaths reminds us that our words and actions must align with our faith. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this integrity. Whether in our relationships, our work, or our conversations, we are invited to let go of duplicity and instead live with the simplicity and honesty that reflect our commitment to Christ. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to let go of our attachments to follow God’s call? Are our words and actions a true reflection of our faith? May we strive to live as people of integrity, trusting in God’s plan and living authentically as His disciples.