Daily Readings - Mon Jun 10 2024
1 Kings
1Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word."2And the word of the LORD came to him,3"Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.4You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there."5So he went and did according to the word of the LORD. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan.6And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
Matthew
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons of faith and virtue. The first reading from 1 Kings 17:1-6 introduces Elijah, a prophet who, during a time of drought and confrontation with King Ahab, trusts God's providence. God instructs Elijah to go to the Cherith torrent, where ravens miraculously provide for him. This story highlights Elijah's obedience and God's faithfulness, even in adversity.
The Gospel from Matthew 5:1-12 presents Jesus' Beatitudes, a cornerstone of His teachings. These blessings outline the characteristics of those who are favored in the Kingdom of God: the poor in spirit, the meek, the mournful, those hungering for justice, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. These Beatitudes challenge us to embrace humility, compassion, and righteousness, promising divine comfort and reward.
Both readings converge on themes of trust and virtuous living. Elijah's story illustrates trusting God amidst hardship, while the Beatitudes call us to embody virtues that reflect God's love. In our daily lives, we are encouraged to trust God's providence and strive to live according to the Beatitudes. This means embracing humility, seeking justice, and showing mercy, even when it's challenging. The moral lesson is clear: faith and virtue lead to spiritual fulfillment and closeness to God. By trusting Him and living His teachings, we find strength and grace to navigate life's trials.