Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 8, 2022
First Reading: 1 Kings 18.20-39
20So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.22Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.23Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:24And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.25And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.26And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.27And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.28And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.29And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.30And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.31And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:32And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.33And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.34And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.35And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.36And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.37Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.38Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.39And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
Psalm 16
1Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.2O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;3But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.4Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.5The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.6The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.7I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.8I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Gospel: Matthew 5.17-19
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful lessons on faith, trust, and adherence to God's will. The first reading from 1 Kings recounts Elijah's bold challenge to the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah, undaunted by the overwhelming odds, trusts in God's power, setting up a contest where fire from heaven miraculously consumes his sacrifice, proving the Lord's supremacy. This dramatic event underscores the importance of unwavering faith and trust in God's plan.
In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the enduring nature of the law, clarifying that he came not to abolish but to fulfill it. He stresses that every part of the law remains significant until all is accomplished. This teaching highlights the importance of respecting and following God's commandments, recognizing their timeless relevance and guidance for a righteous life.
These readings remind us of the need for integrity and faithfulness in our daily lives. Like Elijah, we must trust in God's power and remain committed to His cause, even in challenging times. Jesus teaches us that living according to God's commandments is essential, reflecting a life of integrity and alignment with His will. May we draw inspiration from these lessons, deepening our faith and commitment to God's teachings in our everyday lives.