Daily Readings - Fri Jun 15 2018
1 Kings
9There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"11The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.12After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"14He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."15The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.16Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.
Matthew
27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.31"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.'32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from 1 Kings 19.9a, 11-16, tells the story of Elijah, who, amidst turmoil and feeling isolated, experiences God's presence not in dramatic events like wind or earthquakes, but in a gentle breeze. This teaches us that God often speaks in the quiet moments, reminding us to trust in His plan even when we feel alone. Elijah's encounter emphasizes the importance of listening to God's voice and understanding that His presence is not always in the chaos but in the stillness.
The Gospel from Matthew 5.27-32 shifts our focus to the heart. Jesus expands the understanding of adultery beyond actions to include thoughts, highlighting the importance of purity in our intentions. He also addresses divorce, stressing that it should only occur in cases of unfaithfulness, underscoring the seriousness of commitments. This teaching invites us to reflect on our inner lives, ensuring our thoughts and actions align with God's will, and to approach relationships with integrity and respect.
Both readings encourage us to seek God in stillness and to examine our inner selves. Elijah's story reminds us to trust God's plan, while Jesus' teachings call us to purity and integrity. In our daily lives, this means taking moments to listen for God's gentle voice and ensuring our actions and thoughts reflect His teachings. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and maintain purity in heart and relationships, allowing His will to guide our lives.