Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 15, 2024
First Reading: 1 Kings 19.16b, 19-21
16And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.19So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.20And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?21And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
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 5.33-37
33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons on faith and integrity. The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Elisha's call to prophethood by Elijah. Elisha, a humble farmer, is called while working in the fields. His immediate response, leaving behind his oxen and family to follow Elijah, exemplifies unwavering obedience and trust in God's plan. This act of faith is a testament to the transformative power of heeding God's call, even when it requires significant sacrifice.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the importance of truthful speech. Jesus emphasizes that our words should be our bond—yes should mean yes, and no should mean no. He warns against the temptation to embellish our promises with oaths, which can lead to deceit. This teaching underscores the value of integrity in our daily interactions, urging us to cultivate honesty and simplicity in our communication.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to God's call and how we interact with others. Elisha's prompt obedience challenges us to be attentive to God's voice and courageous in following His will. Jesus' teaching on truthful speech reminds us that our words have the power to build trust and foster genuine relationships. As we navigate our daily lives, may we strive to live with the same faith and integrity, responding wholeheartedly to God's call and speaking with truth and sincerity. Let us pray for the grace to live authentically, reflecting God's love in all we do.