Daily Readings - Fri Jun 15 2018
1 Kings
9And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?11And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:12And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?14And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.15And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:16And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
Matthew
27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from 1 Kings 19.9a, 11-16, tells the story of Elijah, who, amidst turmoil and feeling isolated, experiences God's presence not in dramatic events like wind or earthquakes, but in a gentle breeze. This teaches us that God often speaks in the quiet moments, reminding us to trust in His plan even when we feel alone. Elijah's encounter emphasizes the importance of listening to God's voice and understanding that His presence is not always in the chaos but in the stillness.
The Gospel from Matthew 5.27-32 shifts our focus to the heart. Jesus expands the understanding of adultery beyond actions to include thoughts, highlighting the importance of purity in our intentions. He also addresses divorce, stressing that it should only occur in cases of unfaithfulness, underscoring the seriousness of commitments. This teaching invites us to reflect on our inner lives, ensuring our thoughts and actions align with God's will, and to approach relationships with integrity and respect.
Both readings encourage us to seek God in stillness and to examine our inner selves. Elijah's story reminds us to trust God's plan, while Jesus' teachings call us to purity and integrity. In our daily lives, this means taking moments to listen for God's gentle voice and ensuring our actions and thoughts reflect His teachings. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and maintain purity in heart and relationships, allowing His will to guide our lives.