Daily Readings - Thu Jun 13 2024
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust in God and the importance of right relationships. The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Elijah, who, after a long drought, trusts in God’s promise of rain. Despite the initial absence of any sign, Elijah persists in prayer, and eventually, the skies grow dark, and the rain comes. This passage reminds us of the importance of faith and perseverance, even when we cannot yet see the fruits of our efforts. Elijah’s trust in God’s word is unwavering, and his actions demonstrate a deep reliance on divine providence.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the interior dimensions of our faith. Jesus teaches that true righteousness goes beyond external observance of the law. He emphasizes that anger and harsh words can damage our relationships and separate us from God. Jesus calls us to reconciliation, urging us to resolve conflicts quickly and to seek peace with others before offering worship. This teaching challenges us to examine our hearts and our interactions with those around us, reminding us that our relationship with God is deeply tied to our relationships with others.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust—trust in God’s promises and trust in the transformative power of love and reconciliation. Elijah’s story shows us that trusting God can lead to unexpected and life-giving outcomes. Jesus’ teaching, on the other hand, calls us to trust in the power of mercy and forgiveness to heal our relationships. In our daily lives, we are invited to imitate Elijah’s faith and to follow Jesus’ call to reconciliation. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead is unclear? Are we willing to take the first step toward healing a broken relationship? May we cultivate the kind of trust and love that allows God’s grace to flow through us, bringing life and renewal to all we encounter.