Daily Readings - Fri Jun 22 2018
2 Kings
1Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family.2But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not put to death.3And he remained with her six years, hidden in the house of the LORD, while Athaliah reigned over the land.4But in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and brought the captains of the Carites and of the guards, and had them come to him in the house of the LORD. And he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the LORD, and he showed them the king's son.9The captains did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded, and they each brought his men who were to go off duty on the Sabbath, with those who were to come on duty on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.10And the priest gave to the captains the spears and shields that had been King David's, which were in the house of the LORD.11And the guards stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the south side of the house to the north side of the house, around the altar and the house on behalf of the king.12Then he brought out the king's son and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony. And they proclaimed him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, "Long live the king!"13When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she went into the house of the LORD to the people.14And when she looked, there was the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. And Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, "Treason! Treason!"15Then Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains who were set over the army, "Bring her out between the ranks, and put to death with the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest said, "Let her not be put to death in the house of the LORD."16So they laid hands on her; and she went through the horses' entrance to the king's house, and there she was put to death.17And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people, that they should be the LORD's people, and also between the king and the people.18Then all the people of the land went to the house of Baal and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest posted watchmen over the house of the LORD.20So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword at the king's house.
Matthew
19"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.22"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,23but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful stories that remind us of the enduring struggle between light and darkness, and the call to place our ultimate trust in God. The first reading from 2 Kings tells the story of Athaliah, a queen who sought to destroy the royal lineage to secure her own power. However, her evil plans were thwarted by the courage and faith of Jehosheba, who hid the young king Jehoash and later ensured his rightful place on the throne. This story highlights the triumph of God’s plan over human wickedness and the importance of standing firm in faith even in the face of great adversity.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the spiritual realm, as Jesus warns us about the dangers of earthly treasures and the corruption that can come from an impure heart. He reminds us that our true treasure should be in heaven, where it cannot be destroyed or stolen. Jesus also uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body, teaching us that our spiritual vision determines the state of our soul. If our hearts are pure and our intentions are upright, we will be filled with light and guidance. But if our hearts are corrupted by greed, selfishness, or sin, we risk living in spiritual darkness.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives and the choices we make. Are we like Athaliah, seeking power and control through worldly means, or are we like Jehosheba, trusting in God’s plan and standing up for what is right? Do we prioritize earthly treasures that fade away, or do we store up treasures in heaven by living a life of love, compassion, and integrity? Let us ask for the grace to see the world through the eyes of faith, to seek God’s will above all else, and to live in the light of His truth. In doing so, we will find true peace and fulfillment, both in this life and in the life to come.