Daily Readings - Fri Jun 17 2022
2 Kings
1And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.2But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.3And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.4And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.9And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.10And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.11And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.12And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.13And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.14And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.15But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.16And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain.17And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.18And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.20And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house.
Matthew
19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and the true treasures of our lives. The first reading from 2 Kings 11 recounts the dramatic story of Athaliah's rise to power and her eventual downfall. Athaliah, driven by ambition, sought to eliminate the royal lineage, but her reign was thwarted by the courage of Jehosheba and the wisdom of Jehoiada. They risked everything to protect the young King Joash, ensuring the Davidic line endured and the covenant with God was restored. This story highlights the triumph of faith over corruption and the importance of standing firm in God's plan.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 6:19-23 shifts our focus to Jesus' teachings on where we should place our treasures. Jesus contrasts earthly wealth, which can be lost or corrupted, with heavenly treasures that endure. He emphasizes that our hearts follow our treasures, and our spiritual sight determines the state of our souls. This teaching challenges us to evaluate our priorities, urging us to trust in God's providence rather than material security.
Connecting these readings, we find a common theme of trust and faith. In 2 Kings, the faithful individuals trusted in God's plan despite danger, while in Matthew, Jesus calls us to trust in God's provision. This dual focus on trust encourages us to align our lives with God's will, even when faced with challenges. It reminds us that our true treasure lies in our relationship with God, guiding our decisions and actions.
In our daily lives, let us reflect on where we place our trust. Are we prioritizing earthly gains or nurturing our spiritual wealth? Let us draw courage from Jehosheba and Jehoiada, who stood against adversity for what was right. May we trust in God's plan, recognizing that our hearts and sights are directed toward heavenly treasures. As we navigate life's uncertainties, may our faith in God illuminate our path, leading us to true life and light.