Daily Readings - Wed Jun 15 2022
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 nature of true faith, humility, and the relationship between the visible and the invisible. In the first reading, we witness the dramatic scene of Elijah’s ascent into heaven, leaving behind Elisha, who boldly asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. This moment is not just a display of divine power but also a lesson in trust and succession. Elisha’s persistence and faith are rewarded as he takes up Elijah’s mantle, symbolizing the passing on of prophetic authority. The Jordan River, often a symbol of transition and new beginnings, serves as the backdrop for this profound moment of handing over the spiritual legacy.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the importance of living our faith with sincerity and humility. He warns against performing religious acts for the sake of appearances, emphasizing that true righteousness is not about external recognition but about an authentic relationship with God. Whether it is giving alms, praying, or fasting, Jesus calls us to do these acts in secret, not for the approval of others, but because they are expressions of our love and devotion to God. This teaching challenges us to examine our motives and to ensure that our spiritual practices are rooted in genuine faith rather than a desire for human praise.
Both readings remind us that true faith is not about show but about substance. Elisha’s request for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit teaches us to seek spiritual growth and to trust in God’s plan, even when the future seems uncertain. Jesus’ teaching on humility invites us to strip away pretense and to focus on the inner transformation that comes from a deep connection with God. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to live with authenticity, trusting that God sees what is hidden and will reward it in His time. May we, like Elisha, embrace the mantle of faith and, like Jesus, live with humility, knowing that true greatness lies in the eyes of God.