Daily Readings - Thu Jun 09 2022
1 Kings
41And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain."42So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.43"Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back."44The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.'"45Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.46The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.
Matthew
20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, 'is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Sermon
The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Elijah, a prophet of God, who after a long drought, prays for rain. Despite the initial absence of any visible sign, Elijah persists in prayer, trusting in God’s promise. His faith is rewarded when a small cloud appears, signaling the end of the drought and the coming of abundant rain. This passage reminds us of the power of faith and the importance of perseverance in prayer, even when the results are not immediately apparent.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about the necessity of living a life of integrity and love. He deepens the commandment against murder by emphasizing that even anger and harsh words toward others are contrary to God’s will. Jesus calls us to reconciliation and forgiveness, urging us to resolve conflicts quickly and humbly. He even suggests that if we are about to offer a gift at the altar but remember that someone has something against us, we should first go and be reconciled. This teaching challenges us to prioritize love and unity over ritual and superficial righteousness.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with others. Elijah’s story shows us that faith and trust in God can lead to abundant life, even in the most barren of times. Jesus’ teaching, on the other hand, reminds us that our relationship with God is deeply connected to our relationships with others. To follow Christ means to live a life of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to trust in God’s providence and to love one another as He has loved us. In doing so, we will not only deepen our faith but also become instruments of peace and healing in the world around us.