Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 18, 2020
First Reading: Sirach 48.1-14
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Psalm 97
1The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!2Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.3Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.4His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.5The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.6The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.7All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!8Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O LORD.9For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.10O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.11Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.12Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
Gospel: Matthew 6.7-15
7"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.10Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.11Give us this day our daily bread,12and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,15but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of prayer and the profound connection between our relationship with God and our relationships with one another. In the first reading from Sirach, we hear about the prophet Elijah, a man of extraordinary faith and courage. Elijah’s life was marked by his unwavering trust in God, and through his prayers, he performed miracles, brought justice, and restored hope to God’s people. The reading reminds us that Elijah’s greatness was not in his own strength but in his ability to listen to and obey God’s will. His story teaches us that prayer is not just about asking for things but about aligning our hearts with God’s purpose.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray with simplicity and sincerity. He warns against using many words, as if God needs to be persuaded by our eloquence. Instead, he gives us the Lord’s Prayer, a model of prayer that is both humble and profound. The prayer begins with reverence for God’s name and a desire for His kingdom to come. It then turns to our needs—daily bread, forgiveness, and protection from evil. Jesus emphasizes that our prayers must be rooted in forgiveness, for if we do not forgive others, we cannot expect to be forgiven by God. This teaching challenges us to examine how we pray and how we relate to those around us.
These readings are deeply connected. Elijah’s prayer was powerful because it was rooted in his deep relationship with God, and Jesus teaches us that our prayers must also flow from a heart that is humble, forgiving, and attentive to God’s will. In our daily lives, we are called to pray like Elijah and like the disciples—to trust in God’s providence and to seek His will above all else. We are also reminded that our prayer must lead us to action, particularly in forgiving others and reconciling our relationships. Let us strive to make prayer a central part of our lives, not just with words but with hearts that are open to God’s love and mercy.