Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 16, 2018
First Reading: 1 Kings 19.16b, 19-21
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.19So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him.20And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, "Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?"21And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.
Psalm 16
1Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.2I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."3As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.4The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.5The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.6The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.7I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.8I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.9Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.10For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.11You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Gospel: Matthew 5.33-37
33"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'34But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,35or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.36And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.37Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of vocation, integrity, and the simplicity of living a life rooted in faith. In the first reading, we encounter the prophet Elijah calling Elisha to follow him. Elisha, though deeply rooted in his life as a farmer, responds without hesitation, leaving behind his oxen and family to embrace the call to prophecy. This moment highlights the radical nature of discipleship, where God’s invitation demands a complete surrender of our plans and securities. Elisha’s willingness to let go of everything to follow Elijah reminds us that true faith often requires us to step into the unknown, trusting in God’s providence.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about the importance of integrity in our words and actions. He condemns the practice of swearing oaths, emphasizing that our “Yes” should mean “Yes” and our “No” mean “No.” This teaching challenges us to live with simplicity and honesty, avoiding the temptation to manipulate or deceive others through our speech. Jesus is calling us to a way of life where our words reflect the truth of who we are and the values we hold. This is not merely about avoiding lies but about cultivating a deep authenticity that flows from a heart committed to God.
These readings are connected by the theme of living with integrity and faithfulness. Elisha’s response to Elijah’s call shows us what it means to trust God completely, while Jesus’ teaching on oaths reminds us that our words and actions must align with our faith. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this integrity. Whether in our relationships, our work, or our conversations, we are invited to let go of duplicity and instead live with the simplicity and honesty that reflect our commitment to Christ. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to let go of our attachments to follow God’s call? Are our words and actions a true reflection of our faith? May we strive to live as people of integrity, trusting in God’s plan and living authentically as His disciples.