Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 16, 2018
First Reading: 1 Kings 19.16b, 19-21
16Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.19So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.20Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you.Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?"21So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.
Psalm 16
1Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.2I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."3As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.4The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.5LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.7I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.8I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.9Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,10because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.11You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Gospel: Matthew 5.33-37
33"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of vocation, integrity, and the simplicity of living a life rooted in faith. In the first reading, we encounter the prophet Elijah calling Elisha to follow him. Elisha, though deeply rooted in his life as a farmer, responds without hesitation, leaving behind his oxen and family to embrace the call to prophecy. This moment highlights the radical nature of discipleship, where God’s invitation demands a complete surrender of our plans and securities. Elisha’s willingness to let go of everything to follow Elijah reminds us that true faith often requires us to step into the unknown, trusting in God’s providence.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about the importance of integrity in our words and actions. He condemns the practice of swearing oaths, emphasizing that our “Yes” should mean “Yes” and our “No” mean “No.” This teaching challenges us to live with simplicity and honesty, avoiding the temptation to manipulate or deceive others through our speech. Jesus is calling us to a way of life where our words reflect the truth of who we are and the values we hold. This is not merely about avoiding lies but about cultivating a deep authenticity that flows from a heart committed to God.
These readings are connected by the theme of living with integrity and faithfulness. Elisha’s response to Elijah’s call shows us what it means to trust God completely, while Jesus’ teaching on oaths reminds us that our words and actions must align with our faith. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this integrity. Whether in our relationships, our work, or our conversations, we are invited to let go of duplicity and instead live with the simplicity and honesty that reflect our commitment to Christ. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to let go of our attachments to follow God’s call? Are our words and actions a true reflection of our faith? May we strive to live as people of integrity, trusting in God’s plan and living authentically as His disciples.