Daily Readings - Thu Jun 13 2024
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust in God and the importance of right relationships. The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Elijah, who, after a long drought, trusts in God’s promise of rain. Despite the initial absence of any sign, Elijah persists in prayer, and eventually, the skies grow dark, and the rain comes. This passage reminds us of the importance of faith and perseverance, even when we cannot yet see the fruits of our efforts. Elijah’s trust in God’s word is unwavering, and his actions demonstrate a deep reliance on divine providence.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the interior dimensions of our faith. Jesus teaches that true righteousness goes beyond external observance of the law. He emphasizes that anger and harsh words can damage our relationships and separate us from God. Jesus calls us to reconciliation, urging us to resolve conflicts quickly and to seek peace with others before offering worship. This teaching challenges us to examine our hearts and our interactions with those around us, reminding us that our relationship with God is deeply tied to our relationships with others.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust—trust in God’s promises and trust in the transformative power of love and reconciliation. Elijah’s story shows us that trusting God can lead to unexpected and life-giving outcomes. Jesus’ teaching, on the other hand, calls us to trust in the power of mercy and forgiveness to heal our relationships. In our daily lives, we are invited to imitate Elijah’s faith and to follow Jesus’ call to reconciliation. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead is unclear? Are we willing to take the first step toward healing a broken relationship? May we cultivate the kind of trust and love that allows God’s grace to flow through us, bringing life and renewal to all we encounter.