Daily Readings - Wed Jun 20 2018
2 Kings
1And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.6And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.7And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.8And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.12And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.13He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;14And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
Matthew
1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true spirituality and the importance of living our faith with sincerity and humility. In the first reading, we witness the dramatic scene of Elijah’s ascent into heaven, leaving behind his mantle for Elisha. This moment marks a profound transfer of spiritual authority, as Elijah, the great prophet, hands over his mission to his disciple. Elisha’s request for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit reveals his deep desire to continue the work of God with even greater zeal. The Jordan River, a symbol of life, renewal, and crossing into the promised land, serves as the backdrop for this miraculous event. Elisha’s persistence and faith are rewarded as he picks up the mantle and, in a moment of divine grace, is able to perform a miracle, just as Elijah did.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the importance of living our faith inwardly, rather than seeking external recognition. He warns against performing acts of piety—such as giving alms, praying, or fasting—in order to be seen by others. True spirituality, Jesus tells us, is about sincerity and humility. When we give, pray, or fast, it should be for God alone, not for the approval of others. 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.
Both readings remind us that true faith is not about outward appearances but about the inner disposition of our hearts. Elisha’s humility and willingness to follow Elijah’s path, even in the face of uncertainty, teach us about the importance of trust and perseverance in our spiritual journey. Similarly, Jesus’ words call us to live our faith authentically, without pretense or self-seeking. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate a deeper interior life, seeking to please God rather than others. May we, like Elisha, embrace the mantle of our calling with humility and faith, and may we, like Jesus, live our lives in sincerity and love.