Daily Readings - Fri Jun 14 2024
1 Kings
9There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"11The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.12After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"14He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."15The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.16Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.
Matthew
27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.31"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.'32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on encountering God and the importance of inner purity. The first reading from 1 Kings describes Elijah's experience in a cave, where he finds God not in the dramatic wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle breeze. This moment teaches us that God's presence is often found in stillness, requiring us to quiet our minds and hearts. Elijah, feeling isolated and persecuted, learns that God's voice is subtle yet powerful, urging him to trust and continue his mission.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus's teachings on adultery and the deeper implications of our thoughts and desires. Jesus emphasizes that sin begins in the heart, highlighting the need for self-awareness and control over our inner lives. This teaching challenges us to move beyond outward actions and consider the intentions that drive them, aligning our thoughts with God's will.
Both readings guide us toward interior transformation. Elijah's encounter reminds us to seek God in stillness, while Jesus's teaching calls us to guard our hearts against sin. In our daily lives, this means creating space for reflection and mindfulness, ensuring our desires and thoughts lead us closer to God. The moral lesson here is clear: our spiritual journey is not about external achievements but the condition of our hearts. Let us embrace the stillness, letting go of what leads us astray, and foster a deeper, authentic relationship with God.