Daily Readings - Thu Jun 18 2020
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of prayer and the profound connection between our relationship with God and our relationships with one another. In the first reading from Sirach, we hear about the prophet Elijah, a man of extraordinary faith and courage. Elijah’s life was marked by his unwavering trust in God, and through his prayers, he performed miracles, brought justice, and restored hope to God’s people. The reading reminds us that Elijah’s greatness was not in his own strength but in his ability to listen to and obey God’s will. His story teaches us that prayer is not just about asking for things but about aligning our hearts with God’s purpose.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray with simplicity and sincerity. He warns against using many words, as if God needs to be persuaded by our eloquence. Instead, he gives us the Lord’s Prayer, a model of prayer that is both humble and profound. The prayer begins with reverence for God’s name and a desire for His kingdom to come. It then turns to our needs—daily bread, forgiveness, and protection from evil. Jesus emphasizes that our prayers must be rooted in forgiveness, for if we do not forgive others, we cannot expect to be forgiven by God. This teaching challenges us to examine how we pray and how we relate to those around us.
These readings are deeply connected. Elijah’s prayer was powerful because it was rooted in his deep relationship with God, and Jesus teaches us that our prayers must also flow from a heart that is humble, forgiving, and attentive to God’s will. In our daily lives, we are called to pray like Elijah and like the disciples—to trust in God’s providence and to seek His will above all else. We are also reminded that our prayer must lead us to action, particularly in forgiving others and reconciling our relationships. Let us strive to make prayer a central part of our lives, not just with words but with hearts that are open to God’s love and mercy.