Daily Readings - Sat Jun 16 2018
1 Kings
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.19So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.20And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?21And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
Matthew
33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of vocation, integrity, and the simplicity of living a life rooted in faith. In the first reading, we encounter the prophet Elijah calling Elisha to follow him. Elisha, though deeply rooted in his life as a farmer, responds without hesitation, leaving behind his oxen and family to embrace the call to prophecy. This moment highlights the radical nature of discipleship, where God’s invitation demands a complete surrender of our plans and securities. Elisha’s willingness to let go of everything to follow Elijah reminds us that true faith often requires us to step into the unknown, trusting in God’s providence.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about the importance of integrity in our words and actions. He condemns the practice of swearing oaths, emphasizing that our “Yes” should mean “Yes” and our “No” mean “No.” This teaching challenges us to live with simplicity and honesty, avoiding the temptation to manipulate or deceive others through our speech. Jesus is calling us to a way of life where our words reflect the truth of who we are and the values we hold. This is not merely about avoiding lies but about cultivating a deep authenticity that flows from a heart committed to God.
These readings are connected by the theme of living with integrity and faithfulness. Elisha’s response to Elijah’s call shows us what it means to trust God completely, while Jesus’ teaching on oaths reminds us that our words and actions must align with our faith. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this integrity. Whether in our relationships, our work, or our conversations, we are invited to let go of duplicity and instead live with the simplicity and honesty that reflect our commitment to Christ. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to let go of our attachments to follow God’s call? Are our words and actions a true reflection of our faith? May we strive to live as people of integrity, trusting in God’s plan and living authentically as His disciples.