Daily Readings - Wed Jun 19 2024
2 Kings
1Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.6Then Elijah said to him, "Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on.7Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan.8Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me."10And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so."11And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.12And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more.Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.13And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.14Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.
Matthew
1"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.2"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.5"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.16"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.17But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,18that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound lessons about humility, faith, and the true nature of spirituality. The first reading from 2 Kings recounts the dramatic moment when Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, leaving behind his mantle for Elisha. This scene is not just a display of divine power but a testament to the enduring nature of God’s mission. Elisha, who had faithfully followed Elijah, requests a double portion of his spirit, not for personal glory but to continue the work entrusted to him. The story reminds us that our faith is not about seeking recognition but about faithfully carrying forward the mission God has given us.
The Gospel reading from Matthew complements this theme as Jesus teaches about the importance of living our faith with humility. He warns against performing acts of piety—such as giving alms, praying, or fasting—solely for the approval of others. True righteousness, Jesus emphasizes, is not about outward appearances but about an inner disposition that seeks to please God alone. This teaching challenges us to examine our motivations and to ensure that our actions are rooted in a genuine relationship with God, rather than a desire for human praise.
These readings invite us to reflect on the state of our own spiritual lives. Like Elisha, we are called to embrace the mission God has entrusted to us, not for personal gain but out of love and fidelity. And like the teachings of Jesus, we are reminded that true spirituality is not about what others see but about the sincerity of our hearts. Let us strive to live our faith with humility and authenticity, trusting that God, who sees in secret, will reward us far beyond what the world can offer.