Daily Readings - Wed Jun 19 2024
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
In today’s readings, we encounter profound lessons about humility, faith, and the true nature of spirituality. The first reading from 2 Kings recounts the dramatic moment when Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, leaving behind his mantle for Elisha. This scene is not just a display of divine power but a testament to the enduring nature of God’s mission. Elisha, who had faithfully followed Elijah, requests a double portion of his spirit, not for personal glory but to continue the work entrusted to him. The story reminds us that our faith is not about seeking recognition but about faithfully carrying forward the mission God has given us.
The Gospel reading from Matthew complements this theme as Jesus teaches about the importance of living our faith with humility. He warns against performing acts of piety—such as giving alms, praying, or fasting—solely for the approval of others. True righteousness, Jesus emphasizes, is not about outward appearances but about an inner disposition that seeks to please God alone. This teaching challenges us to examine our motivations and to ensure that our actions are rooted in a genuine relationship with God, rather than a desire for human praise.
These readings invite us to reflect on the state of our own spiritual lives. Like Elisha, we are called to embrace the mission God has entrusted to us, not for personal gain but out of love and fidelity. And like the teachings of Jesus, we are reminded that true spirituality is not about what others see but about the sincerity of our hearts. Let us strive to live our faith with humility and authenticity, trusting that God, who sees in secret, will reward us far beyond what the world can offer.