Daily Readings - Thu Jun 14 2018
1 Kings
41And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain."42So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.43"Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back."44The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.'"45Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.46The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.
Matthew
20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, 'is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and the call to live according to God’s will. The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Elijah, who, after a great victory over the prophets of Baal, humbly bends down in prayer, trusting that God will send the much-needed rain to end the drought. His persistence and faith are rewarded as the skies darken and the rain pours down. This passage reminds us of the importance of trust in God’s providence, even when the signs are not immediately apparent.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to a deeper understanding of righteousness. He goes beyond the external observance of the law and calls us to examine our hearts. Anger, insults, and unresolved conflicts are not just minor faults but serious obstacles to living as children of God. Jesus emphasizes the urgency of reconciliation, teaching us that our relationship with God cannot be separated from our relationships with others. We are called to approach the altar with clean hearts, seeking forgiveness and healing before offering our worship.
These readings remind us that our faith must be lived out in both trust and action. Like Elijah, we are to trust in God’s plan, even when the path seems uncertain. Like the teachings of Jesus, we are to examine our hearts and seek reconciliation, knowing that our spiritual lives are deeply intertwined with our relationships. Let us strive to live with the humility of Elijah and the compassion of Christ, trusting in God’s grace to guide us and to bring life-giving rain to the parched areas of our souls.