Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 16, 2020
First Reading: 1 Kings 21.17-29
17Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite:18"Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth's vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it.19Say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' Then say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood-yes, yours!'"20Ahab said to Elijah, "So you have found me, my enemy!I have found you," he answered, "because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD.21'I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel-slave or free.22I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.'23"And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: 'Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.'24"Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country."25(There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife.26He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the LORD drove out before Israel.)27When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.28Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite:29"Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son."
Psalm 51
1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.2Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.5Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.6Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.9Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.12Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.14Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.15O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.18In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.19Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Gospel: Matthew 5.43-48
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Sermon
The readings today present us with powerful lessons about sin, repentance, and the boundless love of God. In the first reading from 1 Kings, we see the story of Ahab, a king who allowed his greed and corruption to lead him into grave sin. Elijah confronts Ahab with a stern prophecy of judgment for his actions, yet we also witness the mercy of God when Ahab humbles himself and repents. This passage reminds us that while sin has consequences, God’s love and forgiveness are always available to those who turn to Him with a contrite heart.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to rethink our understanding of love. He tells us to love not just our neighbors but also our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, and to strive for perfection as our heavenly Father is perfect. This teaching is radical because it goes against our natural inclination to love only those who love us and to ignore or resent those who wrong us. Jesus calls us to a higher standard—one that reflects the universal love of God, who sends rain and sunshine alike on the just and the unjust.
These readings are connected by the theme of God’s mercy and the call to holiness. Ahab’s story shows us that even in the midst of sin, repentance can lead to mercy. Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel takes this a step further, inviting us to live in such a way that we reflect God’s love to all people, regardless of how they treat us. In our daily lives, this means examining our own hearts for areas where we may have turned away from God and seeking His forgiveness. It also means practicing love and kindness, even when it is difficult, as a way of living out our faith and growing in holiness. Let us strive to be like our Father in heaven, who loves without condition and without limit.