Daily Readings - Wed Jun 17 2020
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 relationship between faith, humility, and the pursuit of a deeper connection with God. In the First Reading from 2 Kings, we witness the dramatic moment of Elijah’s ascent into heaven, leaving Elisha to carry on his prophetic mission. Elisha’s request for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit reveals his deep desire to continue Elijah’s work with even greater fervor. This passage reminds us that true leadership and spiritual authority are not about personal ambition but about faithfully serving God and His people. Elisha’s humility and perseverance are evident as he takes up Elijah’s cloak, symbolizing the passing of the mantle, and continues the work of prophecy.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the importance of living our faith with sincerity and humility. He warns against performing acts of piety—such as giving alms, praying, or fasting—solely for the approval of others. Jesus emphasizes that our spiritual practices should be rooted in a genuine relationship with God, not in seeking human praise. This teaching challenges us to examine our motivations and to ensure that our actions are guided by a desire to please God rather than to impress others. True spirituality, Jesus tells us, is about intimacy with the Father, who sees what is done in secret and rewards it.
These readings remind us that our faith journey is not about external appearances but about the condition of our hearts. Like Elisha, we are called to humbly carry on the mission of those who have gone before us, trusting in God’s grace to equip us for the task. And like the teachings of Jesus, we are invited to live our faith with authenticity, seeking God’s approval above all else. Let us strive to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, one that is marked by humility, sincerity, and a willingness to serve others without seeking recognition. In doing so, we will find true fulfillment and peace in our spiritual lives.