Daily Readings - Wed Jun 17 2020
2 Kings
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.
Matthew
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 relationship between faith, humility, and the pursuit of a deeper connection with God. In the First Reading from 2 Kings, we witness the dramatic moment of Elijah’s ascent into heaven, leaving Elisha to carry on his prophetic mission. Elisha’s request for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit reveals his deep desire to continue Elijah’s work with even greater fervor. This passage reminds us that true leadership and spiritual authority are not about personal ambition but about faithfully serving God and His people. Elisha’s humility and perseverance are evident as he takes up Elijah’s cloak, symbolizing the passing of the mantle, and continues the work of prophecy.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the importance of living our faith with sincerity and humility. He warns against performing acts of piety—such as giving alms, praying, or fasting—solely for the approval of others. Jesus emphasizes that our spiritual practices should be rooted in a genuine relationship with God, not in seeking human praise. This teaching challenges us to examine our motivations and to ensure that our actions are guided by a desire to please God rather than to impress others. True spirituality, Jesus tells us, is about intimacy with the Father, who sees what is done in secret and rewards it.
These readings remind us that our faith journey is not about external appearances but about the condition of our hearts. Like Elisha, we are called to humbly carry on the mission of those who have gone before us, trusting in God’s grace to equip us for the task. And like the teachings of Jesus, we are invited to live our faith with authenticity, seeking God’s approval above all else. Let us strive to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, one that is marked by humility, sincerity, and a willingness to serve others without seeking recognition. In doing so, we will find true fulfillment and peace in our spiritual lives.