Daily Readings - Fri Jun 21 2024
2 Kings
1Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family.2But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not put to death.3And he remained with her six years, hidden in the house of the LORD, while Athaliah reigned over the land.4But in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and brought the captains of the Carites and of the guards, and had them come to him in the house of the LORD. And he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the LORD, and he showed them the king's son.9The captains did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded, and they each brought his men who were to go off duty on the Sabbath, with those who were to come on duty on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.10And the priest gave to the captains the spears and shields that had been King David's, which were in the house of the LORD.11And the guards stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the south side of the house to the north side of the house, around the altar and the house on behalf of the king.12Then he brought out the king's son and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony. And they proclaimed him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, "Long live the king!"13When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she went into the house of the LORD to the people.14And when she looked, there was the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. And Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, "Treason! Treason!"15Then Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains who were set over the army, "Bring her out between the ranks, and put to death with the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest said, "Let her not be put to death in the house of the LORD."16So they laid hands on her; and she went through the horses' entrance to the king's house, and there she was put to death.17And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people, that they should be the LORD's people, and also between the king and the people.18Then all the people of the land went to the house of Baal and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest posted watchmen over the house of the LORD.20So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword at the king's house.
Matthew
19"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.22"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,23but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that guide us toward a deeper understanding of faith and trust in God. The first reading from 2 Kings 11 recounts the story of Athaliah's usurpation of the throne and the courageous intervention of Jehoiada, the priest, who restores the rightful king, Jehoash, to the throne. This story highlights God's faithfulness and the importance of trusting in His plan, even in the face of adversity. The context is one of political turmoil and spiritual renewal, as the people of Judah are reminded of their covenant with God.
The Gospel from Matthew 6 shifts our focus to Jesus' teachings on treasure and trust. Jesus emphasizes that true security lies not in earthly possessions but in heavenly treasures. He uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body, warning that our spiritual vision determines the state of our soul. The context here is the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus calls His followers to a life of radical trust in God's providence.
Both readings converge on the theme of trust and focus. In 2 Kings, the people must trust in God's plan to restore the monarchy, while in Matthew, Jesus calls us to trust in God's provision and prioritize spiritual wealth. This teaches us to keep our eyes fixed on God, ensuring that our hearts are not consumed by earthly concerns.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on where we place our trust. Are we anchored in God's promises, or are we swayed by the uncertainties of the world? The moral lesson is clear: true security and happiness come from God. Let us strive to keep our focus on spiritual growth and trust in His plan, knowing that our hearts will be filled with light when our gaze is fixed on Him.