Daily Readings - Mon Jun 10 2024
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 profound lessons of faith and virtue. The first reading from 1 Kings 17:1-6 introduces Elijah, a prophet who, during a time of drought and confrontation with King Ahab, trusts God's providence. God instructs Elijah to go to the Cherith torrent, where ravens miraculously provide for him. This story highlights Elijah's obedience and God's faithfulness, even in adversity.
The Gospel from Matthew 5:1-12 presents Jesus' Beatitudes, a cornerstone of His teachings. These blessings outline the characteristics of those who are favored in the Kingdom of God: the poor in spirit, the meek, the mournful, those hungering for justice, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. These Beatitudes challenge us to embrace humility, compassion, and righteousness, promising divine comfort and reward.
Both readings converge on themes of trust and virtuous living. Elijah's story illustrates trusting God amidst hardship, while the Beatitudes call us to embody virtues that reflect God's love. In our daily lives, we are encouraged to trust God's providence and strive to live according to the Beatitudes. This means embracing humility, seeking justice, and showing mercy, even when it's challenging. The moral lesson is clear: faith and virtue lead to spiritual fulfillment and closeness to God. By trusting Him and living His teachings, we find strength and grace to navigate life's trials.