Daily Readings - Fri Jun 14 2024
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 profound lessons on encountering God and the importance of inner purity. The first reading from 1 Kings describes Elijah's experience in a cave, where he finds God not in the dramatic wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle breeze. This moment teaches us that God's presence is often found in stillness, requiring us to quiet our minds and hearts. Elijah, feeling isolated and persecuted, learns that God's voice is subtle yet powerful, urging him to trust and continue his mission.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus's teachings on adultery and the deeper implications of our thoughts and desires. Jesus emphasizes that sin begins in the heart, highlighting the need for self-awareness and control over our inner lives. This teaching challenges us to move beyond outward actions and consider the intentions that drive them, aligning our thoughts with God's will.
Both readings guide us toward interior transformation. Elijah's encounter reminds us to seek God in stillness, while Jesus's teaching calls us to guard our hearts against sin. In our daily lives, this means creating space for reflection and mindfulness, ensuring our desires and thoughts lead us closer to God. The moral lesson here is clear: our spiritual journey is not about external achievements but the condition of our hearts. Let us embrace the stillness, letting go of what leads us astray, and foster a deeper, authentic relationship with God.