Daily Readings - Mon Jun 08 2020
1 Kings
1And Elijah the Tishbite, from the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord lives, the God of Israel, in whose sight I stand, there shall not be dew or rain during these years, except by the words of my mouth.2And the word of the Lord came to him, saying3"Withdraw from here, and go toward the east, and hide at the torrent Cherith, which is opposite the Jordan4And there you shall drink from the torrent. And I have instructed the ravens to feed you there.5Therefore, he went and acted in accord with the word of the Lord. And going away, he settled by the torrent Cherith, which is opposite the Jordan6And the ravens carried bread and flesh to him in the morning, and likewise bread and flesh in the evening. And he drank from the torrent
Matthew
1Then, seeing the crowds, he ascended the mountain, and when he had sat down, his disciples drew near to him2and opening his mouth, he taught them, saying3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven4Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth5Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be consoled6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God10Blessed are those who endure persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven11Blessed are you when they have slandered you, and persecuted you, and spoken all kinds of evil against you, falsely, for my sake12be glad and exult, for your reward in heaven is plentiful. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, humility, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Elijah, a prophet called by God to announce a time of drought and famine as a judgment on Israel’s unfaithfulness. Yet, even in the midst of this desolation, God provides for Elijah in a remarkable way, instructing him to hide by the torrent Cherith, where ravens bring him food each day. This passage reminds us that even when we face uncertainty or hardship, God’s providence is always at work, guiding and sustaining us in ways we may not fully understand.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where he proclaims the Beatitudes. These blessings challenge our conventional notions of happiness and success. Jesus teaches that true blessedness belongs to those who are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, and pure of heart. These qualities are not about external achievements but about an inner disposition of humility, compassion, and a deep longing for God’s justice. The Beatitudes call us to live in a way that reflects the kingdom of heaven, even as we navigate the trials and struggles of this world.
Both readings invite us to trust in God’s plan and to live with humility and faith. Elijah’s story shows us that even in times of scarcity and uncertainty, God’s care for us is unwavering. The Beatitudes remind us that true fulfillment comes not from worldly power or comfort but from living in harmony with God’s will. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate the virtues Jesus praises—meekness, mercy, and a pure heart. May we learn to trust in God’s providence, even when the path ahead seems unclear, and may we find joy in living as children of the kingdom, where love and peace reign supreme.