Daily Readings - Mon Jun 10 2024
1 Kings
1And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.2And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,3Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.4And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.5So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.6And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
Matthew
1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons of faith and virtue. The first reading from 1 Kings 17:1-6 introduces Elijah, a prophet who, during a time of drought and confrontation with King Ahab, trusts God's providence. God instructs Elijah to go to the Cherith torrent, where ravens miraculously provide for him. This story highlights Elijah's obedience and God's faithfulness, even in adversity.
The Gospel from Matthew 5:1-12 presents Jesus' Beatitudes, a cornerstone of His teachings. These blessings outline the characteristics of those who are favored in the Kingdom of God: the poor in spirit, the meek, the mournful, those hungering for justice, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. These Beatitudes challenge us to embrace humility, compassion, and righteousness, promising divine comfort and reward.
Both readings converge on themes of trust and virtuous living. Elijah's story illustrates trusting God amidst hardship, while the Beatitudes call us to embody virtues that reflect God's love. In our daily lives, we are encouraged to trust God's providence and strive to live according to the Beatitudes. This means embracing humility, seeking justice, and showing mercy, even when it's challenging. The moral lesson is clear: faith and virtue lead to spiritual fulfillment and closeness to God. By trusting Him and living His teachings, we find strength and grace to navigate life's trials.