Daily Readings - Sat Jun 15 2024
1 Kings
16And 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 place19Therefore, Elijah, setting out from there, found Elisha, the son of Shaphat, plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. And he himself was one of those who were plowing with the twelve yoke of oxen. And when Elijah had gone to him, he cast his mantle over him20And immediately, leaving behind the oxen, he ran after Elijah. And he said, "I beg you to let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." And he said to him: "Go, and turn back. For what was mine to do, I have done concerning you.21Then, turning back from him, he took a pair of oxen, and he slew them. And he cooked the flesh with the plow of the oxen. And he gave it to the people, and they ate. And rising up, he went and followed Elijah, and he ministered to him
Matthew
33Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord.34But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God35nor by earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king36Neither shall you swear an oath by your own head, because you are not able to cause one hair to become white or black37But let your word ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For anything beyond that is of evil
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons on faith and integrity. The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Elisha's call to prophethood by Elijah. Elisha, a humble farmer, is called while working in the fields. His immediate response, leaving behind his oxen and family to follow Elijah, exemplifies unwavering obedience and trust in God's plan. This act of faith is a testament to the transformative power of heeding God's call, even when it requires significant sacrifice.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the importance of truthful speech. Jesus emphasizes that our words should be our bond—yes should mean yes, and no should mean no. He warns against the temptation to embellish our promises with oaths, which can lead to deceit. This teaching underscores the value of integrity in our daily interactions, urging us to cultivate honesty and simplicity in our communication.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to God's call and how we interact with others. Elisha's prompt obedience challenges us to be attentive to God's voice and courageous in following His will. Jesus' teaching on truthful speech reminds us that our words have the power to build trust and foster genuine relationships. As we navigate our daily lives, may we strive to live with the same faith and integrity, responding wholeheartedly to God's call and speaking with truth and sincerity. Let us pray for the grace to live authentically, reflecting God's love in all we do.