Daily Readings - Thu Jun 14 2018
1 Kings
41And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain."42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees.43And he said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." And he went up and looked and said, "There is nothing." And he said, "Go again," seven times.44And at the seventh time he said, "Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.'"45And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.46And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Matthew
20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.21"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.26Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and the call to live according to God’s will. The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Elijah, who, after a great victory over the prophets of Baal, humbly bends down in prayer, trusting that God will send the much-needed rain to end the drought. His persistence and faith are rewarded as the skies darken and the rain pours down. This passage reminds us of the importance of trust in God’s providence, even when the signs are not immediately apparent.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to a deeper understanding of righteousness. He goes beyond the external observance of the law and calls us to examine our hearts. Anger, insults, and unresolved conflicts are not just minor faults but serious obstacles to living as children of God. Jesus emphasizes the urgency of reconciliation, teaching us that our relationship with God cannot be separated from our relationships with others. We are called to approach the altar with clean hearts, seeking forgiveness and healing before offering our worship.
These readings remind us that our faith must be lived out in both trust and action. Like Elijah, we are to trust in God’s plan, even when the path seems uncertain. Like the teachings of Jesus, we are to examine our hearts and seek reconciliation, knowing that our spiritual lives are deeply intertwined with our relationships. Let us strive to live with the humility of Elijah and the compassion of Christ, trusting in God’s grace to guide us and to bring life-giving rain to the parched areas of our souls.