Daily Readings - Wed Jun 20 2018
2 Kings
1Now it happened that, when the Lord willed to lift up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were going out of Gilgal6Then Elijah said to him: "Remain here. For the Lord has sent me as far as the Jordan." And he said, "As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not forsake you." And so, the two of them continued on together7And fifty men from the sons of the prophets followed them, and they stood opposite them, at a distance. But the two of them were standing above the Jordan8And Elijah took his cloak, and he rolled it up, and he struck the waters, which were divided into two parts. And they both went across on dry ground9And when they had gone across, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what you wish that I may do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "I beg you, that twice your spirit may be accomplished in me.10And he responded: "You have requested a difficult thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, you will have what you requested. But if you do not see, it shall not be.11And as they continued on, they were conversing while walking. And behold, a fiery chariot with fiery horses divided the two. And Elijah ascended by a whirlwind into heaven12Then Elisha saw it, and he cried out: "My father, my father! The chariot of Israel with its driver!" And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own garments, and he tore them into two parts13And he picked up the cloak of Elijah, which had fallen from him. And turning back, he stood above the bank of the Jordan14And he struck the waters with the cloak of Elijah, which had fallen from him, and they were not divided. And he said, "Where is the God of Elijah, even now?" And he struck the waters, and they were divided here and there. And Elisha went across
Matthew
1"Pay attention, lest you perform your justice before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you shall not have a reward with your Father, who is in heaven2Therefore, when you give alms, do not choose to sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the towns, so that they may be honored by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing4so that your almsgiving may be in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you5And when you pray, you should not be like the hypocrites, who love standing in the synagogues and at the corners of the streets to pray, so that they may be seen by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward6But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and having shut the door, pray to your Father in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you16And when you fast, do not choose to become gloomy, like the hypocrites. For they alter their faces, so that their fasting may be apparent to men. Amen I say to you, that they have received their reward17But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face18so that your fasting will not be apparent to men, but to your Father, who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true spirituality and the importance of living our faith with sincerity and humility. In the first reading, we witness the dramatic scene of Elijah’s ascent into heaven, leaving behind his mantle for Elisha. This moment marks a profound transfer of spiritual authority, as Elijah, the great prophet, hands over his mission to his disciple. Elisha’s request for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit reveals his deep desire to continue the work of God with even greater zeal. The Jordan River, a symbol of life, renewal, and crossing into the promised land, serves as the backdrop for this miraculous event. Elisha’s persistence and faith are rewarded as he picks up the mantle and, in a moment of divine grace, is able to perform a miracle, just as Elijah did.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the importance of living our faith inwardly, rather than seeking external recognition. He warns against performing acts of piety—such as giving alms, praying, or fasting—in order to be seen by others. True spirituality, Jesus tells us, is about sincerity and humility. When we give, pray, or fast, it should be for God alone, not for the approval of others. This teaching challenges us to examine our motivations and to ensure that our actions are rooted in a genuine relationship with God, rather than a desire for human praise.
Both readings remind us that true faith is not about outward appearances but about the inner disposition of our hearts. Elisha’s humility and willingness to follow Elijah’s path, even in the face of uncertainty, teach us about the importance of trust and perseverance in our spiritual journey. Similarly, Jesus’ words call us to live our faith authentically, without pretense or self-seeking. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate a deeper interior life, seeking to please God rather than others. May we, like Elisha, embrace the mantle of our calling with humility and faith, and may we, like Jesus, live our lives in sincerity and love.