Daily Readings - Sat Jun 15 2024
1 Kings
16Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.19So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.20Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you.Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?"21So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.
Matthew
33"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons on faith and integrity. The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Elisha's call to prophethood by Elijah. Elisha, a humble farmer, is called while working in the fields. His immediate response, leaving behind his oxen and family to follow Elijah, exemplifies unwavering obedience and trust in God's plan. This act of faith is a testament to the transformative power of heeding God's call, even when it requires significant sacrifice.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the importance of truthful speech. Jesus emphasizes that our words should be our bond—yes should mean yes, and no should mean no. He warns against the temptation to embellish our promises with oaths, which can lead to deceit. This teaching underscores the value of integrity in our daily interactions, urging us to cultivate honesty and simplicity in our communication.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to God's call and how we interact with others. Elisha's prompt obedience challenges us to be attentive to God's voice and courageous in following His will. Jesus' teaching on truthful speech reminds us that our words have the power to build trust and foster genuine relationships. As we navigate our daily lives, may we strive to live with the same faith and integrity, responding wholeheartedly to God's call and speaking with truth and sincerity. Let us pray for the grace to live authentically, reflecting God's love in all we do.