Daily Readings - Fri Jun 15 2018
1 Kings
9There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"11And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.12And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.13And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"14He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away."15And the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.16And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.
Matthew
27"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.31"It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'32But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from 1 Kings 19.9a, 11-16, tells the story of Elijah, who, amidst turmoil and feeling isolated, experiences God's presence not in dramatic events like wind or earthquakes, but in a gentle breeze. This teaches us that God often speaks in the quiet moments, reminding us to trust in His plan even when we feel alone. Elijah's encounter emphasizes the importance of listening to God's voice and understanding that His presence is not always in the chaos but in the stillness.
The Gospel from Matthew 5.27-32 shifts our focus to the heart. Jesus expands the understanding of adultery beyond actions to include thoughts, highlighting the importance of purity in our intentions. He also addresses divorce, stressing that it should only occur in cases of unfaithfulness, underscoring the seriousness of commitments. This teaching invites us to reflect on our inner lives, ensuring our thoughts and actions align with God's will, and to approach relationships with integrity and respect.
Both readings encourage us to seek God in stillness and to examine our inner selves. Elijah's story reminds us to trust God's plan, while Jesus' teachings call us to purity and integrity. In our daily lives, this means taking moments to listen for God's gentle voice and ensuring our actions and thoughts reflect His teachings. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and maintain purity in heart and relationships, allowing His will to guide our lives.