Daily Readings - Fri Jun 10 2022
1 Kings
9And when he had arrived there, he stayed in a cave. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?11And he said to him, "Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by. And there was a great and strong wind, tearing apart the mountains, and crushing the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind, there was an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake12And after the earthquake, there was a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the whisper of a gentle breeze13And when Elijah had heard it, he covered his face with his cloak, and going out, he stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there was a voice to him, saying: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" And he responded14"I have been very zealous on behalf of the Lord, the God of hosts. For the sons of Israel have forsaken your covenant. They have torn down your altars. They have killed your prophets with the sword. I alone remain. And they are seeking my life, so that they may take it away.15And the Lord said to him: "Go, and return on your way, through the desert, to Damascus. And when you have arrived there, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Syria16And 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 place
Matthew
27You have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not commit adultery.28But I say to you, that anyone who will have looked at a woman, so as to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart29And if your right eye causes you to sin, root it out and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body be cast into Hell30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body go into Hell31And it has been said: ‘Whoever would dismiss his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.32But I say to you, that anyone who will have dismissed his wife, except in the case of fornication, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever will have married her who has been dismissed commits adultery
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of divine communication, each offering insights into God's nature and our response to Him. In the first reading from 1 Kings, Elijah, fleeing persecution, finds himself in a cave on Mount Horeb. Here, he experiences God not in the dramatic wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle breeze. This moment underscores God's presence in stillness, reminding us that His voice is often heard in quiet contemplation rather than turmoil. Elijah, feeling isolated, is reassured by God's command to anoint new leaders, a testament to God's ongoing plan and presence beyond Elijah's solitude.
In the Gospel, Matthew 5, Jesus teaches on the gravity of sin, particularly adultery and divorce. He emphasizes that sin begins in the heart, with even a lustful glance being equivalent to adultery. Jesus' teachings stress the importance of moral integrity, urging radical measures to avoid sin and highlighting the sanctity of marriage. His words challenge us to examine our thoughts and actions, seeking purity of heart and fidelity in our commitments.
Both readings invite us to listen to God's voice—Elijah in the stillness and Jesus in His teachings. They remind us that God speaks in unexpected ways, guiding us towards righteousness. As we navigate our lives, we are called to cultivate a deep interior life, attuned to God's whispers, and to uphold moral integrity, recognizing that our thoughts and actions have spiritual consequences. Let us seek God in the quiet moments and strive for purity of heart, trusting in His guidance and grace.