Daily Readings - Thu Jun 09 2022
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
The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Elijah, a prophet of God, who after a long drought, prays for rain. Despite the initial absence of any visible sign, Elijah persists in prayer, trusting in God’s promise. His faith is rewarded when a small cloud appears, signaling the end of the drought and the coming of abundant rain. This passage reminds us of the power of faith and the importance of perseverance in prayer, even when the results are not immediately apparent.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about the necessity of living a life of integrity and love. He deepens the commandment against murder by emphasizing that even anger and harsh words toward others are contrary to God’s will. Jesus calls us to reconciliation and forgiveness, urging us to resolve conflicts quickly and humbly. He even suggests that if we are about to offer a gift at the altar but remember that someone has something against us, we should first go and be reconciled. This teaching challenges us to prioritize love and unity over ritual and superficial righteousness.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with others. Elijah’s story shows us that faith and trust in God can lead to abundant life, even in the most barren of times. Jesus’ teaching, on the other hand, reminds us that our relationship with God is deeply connected to our relationships with others. To follow Christ means to live a life of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to trust in God’s providence and to love one another as He has loved us. In doing so, we will not only deepen our faith but also become instruments of peace and healing in the world around us.