Daily Readings - Wed Jun 15 2022
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 faith, humility, and the relationship between the visible and the invisible. In the first reading, we witness the dramatic scene of Elijah’s ascent into heaven, leaving behind Elisha, who boldly asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. This moment is not just a display of divine power but also a lesson in trust and succession. Elisha’s persistence and faith are rewarded as he takes up Elijah’s mantle, symbolizing the passing on of prophetic authority. The Jordan River, often a symbol of transition and new beginnings, serves as the backdrop for this profound moment of handing over the spiritual legacy.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the importance of living our faith with sincerity and humility. He warns against performing religious acts for the sake of appearances, emphasizing that true righteousness is not about external recognition but about an authentic relationship with God. Whether it is giving alms, praying, or fasting, Jesus calls us to do these acts in secret, not for the approval of others, but because they are expressions of our love and devotion to God. This teaching challenges us to examine our motives and to ensure that our spiritual practices are rooted in genuine faith rather than a desire for human praise.
Both readings remind us that true faith is not about show but about substance. Elisha’s request for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit teaches us to seek spiritual growth and to trust in God’s plan, even when the future seems uncertain. Jesus’ teaching on humility invites us to strip away pretense and to focus on the inner transformation that comes from a deep connection with God. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to live with authenticity, trusting that God sees what is hidden and will reward it in His time. May we, like Elisha, embrace the mantle of faith and, like Jesus, live with humility, knowing that true greatness lies in the eyes of God.