Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 20, 2018
First Reading: 2 Kings 2.1, 6-14
1When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.6Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on.7Fifty men of the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan.8Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.10"You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours-otherwise not."11As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.12Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.13He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.14Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. "Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
Psalm 31
1In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.2Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.3Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.4Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.5Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.6I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD.7I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.8You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.9Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.10My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.11Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends- those who see me on the street flee from me.12I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.13For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.14But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."15My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.16Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.17Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave.18Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.19How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.20In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.21Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city.22In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.23Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.24Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Gospel: Matthew 6.1-6, 16-18
1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true spirituality and the importance of living our faith with sincerity and humility. In the first reading, we witness the dramatic scene of Elijah’s ascent into heaven, leaving behind his mantle for Elisha. This moment marks a profound transfer of spiritual authority, as Elijah, the great prophet, hands over his mission to his disciple. Elisha’s request for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit reveals his deep desire to continue the work of God with even greater zeal. The Jordan River, a symbol of life, renewal, and crossing into the promised land, serves as the backdrop for this miraculous event. Elisha’s persistence and faith are rewarded as he picks up the mantle and, in a moment of divine grace, is able to perform a miracle, just as Elijah did.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the importance of living our faith inwardly, rather than seeking external recognition. He warns against performing acts of piety—such as giving alms, praying, or fasting—in order to be seen by others. True spirituality, Jesus tells us, is about sincerity and humility. When we give, pray, or fast, it should be for God alone, not for the approval of others. 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.
Both readings remind us that true faith is not about outward appearances but about the inner disposition of our hearts. Elisha’s humility and willingness to follow Elijah’s path, even in the face of uncertainty, teach us about the importance of trust and perseverance in our spiritual journey. Similarly, Jesus’ words call us to live our faith authentically, without pretense or self-seeking. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate a deeper interior life, seeking to please God rather than others. May we, like Elisha, embrace the mantle of our calling with humility and faith, and may we, like Jesus, live our lives in sincerity and love.