Daily Readings - Thu Jun 21 2018
Sirach
1And the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch2He brought a famine upon them, and those who provoked him in their envy became few. For they could not bear the precepts of the Lord3By the word of the Lord, he closed the heavens, and he brought down fire from heaven three times4In this way, Elijah was magnified in his wondrous works. So who can say that he is similar to you in glory5He raised up a dead man from the grave, from the fate of death, by the word of the Lord God6He threw down kings unto perdition, and he easily shattered their power and boasting from his bed7He heeded the judgment at Sinai, and the judgments of punishment at Horeb8He anointed kings unto repentance, and he chose the prophets who would follow after him9He was received into a whirlwind of fire, into a swift chariot with fiery horses10He is written in the judgments of the times, so as to lessen the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob11Blessed are those who saw you, and who were adorned with your friendship12For we live only in our life, and after death, our name will not be the same13Certainly, Elijah was covered by the whirlwind, and his spirit was completed in Elisha. In his days, he was not fearful of the ruler, and no power defeated him14No word overwhelmed him, and after death, his body prophesied
Matthew
7And when praying, do not choose many words, as the pagans do. For they think that by their excess of words they might be heeded8Therefore, do not choose to imitate them. For your Father knows what your needs may be, even before you ask him9Therefore, you shall pray in this way: Our Father, who is in heaven: May your name be kept holy10May your kingdom come. May your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth11Give us this day our life-sustaining bread12And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors13And lead us not into temptation. But free us from evil. Amen14For if you will forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father also will forgive you your offenses15But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your sins
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on faith, prayer, and our relationship with God. The first reading from Sirach extols the prophet Elijah, a figure of great zeal and faithfulness. Elijah’s life was marked by extraordinary deeds—calling down fire from heaven, raising the dead, and standing firm against sin. Yet, the passage also highlights his humanity, emphasizing that he was a man like us, subject to the same struggles and vulnerabilities. His legacy, however, is one of hope and restoration, as he was taken up in a whirlwind, leaving behind a spirit that would animate his successor, Elisha. Elijah’s story reminds us that even in our imperfections, God can work through us in extraordinary ways.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus’ teaching on prayer. He warns against the kind of prayer that relies on empty repetition, as if God can be swayed by the sheer volume of words. Instead, Jesus offers the Lord’s Prayer as a model of simplicity and depth. This prayer is not about getting what we want but about aligning our wills with God’s. It emphasizes forgiveness—both seeking it and offering it to others. Jesus makes it clear that our relationship with God is deeply tied to our relationships with one another. If we withhold forgiveness from others, we cannot expect to receive it from God.
These readings invite us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and prayer. Elijah’s story shows us that even the greatest saints are human and that God’s power shines through their weaknesses. The Lord’s Prayer, on the other hand, calls us to humility and sincerity in our relationship with God. Together, they remind us that prayer is not about performance but about connection—connection with God and with others. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to pray with hearts that are open, honest, and forgiving, trusting that God’s will be done in us and through us.