Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 18, 2024
First Reading: 1 Kings 21.17-29
17Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite:18"Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth's vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it.19Say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' Then say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood-yes, yours!'"20Ahab said to Elijah, "So you have found me, my enemy!I have found you," he answered, "because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD.21'I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel-slave or free.22I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.'23"And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: 'Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.'24"Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country."25(There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife.26He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the LORD drove out before Israel.)27When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.28Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite:29"Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son."
Psalm 51
1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.2Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.5Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.6Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.9Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.12Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.14Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.15O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.18In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.19Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Gospel: Matthew 5.43-48
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about sin, mercy, and the call to holiness. The first reading from 1 Kings recounts the story of Elijah confronting King Ahab over his sinful actions in seizing Naboth’s vineyard. Ahab’s repentance, though late, moves God to show mercy, delaying punishment to the next generation. This story reminds us that sin has consequences, but repentance opens the door to God’s compassion. The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, calling us to imitate God’s perfection by extending love universally, just as He sends rain and sunshine to all.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on God’s mercy and the high standard of love He calls us to. While Ahab’s story shows that even the worst sins can be forgiven through repentance, Jesus’ teaching pushes us beyond mere obedience to a radical love that embraces everyone, even our enemies. Together, they invite us to reflect on our own relationships and actions, urging us to seek humility, repentance, and a willingness to love without condition.
As we apply these lessons to our daily lives, we are reminded that every moment presents a choice: to sin or to seek forgiveness, to hold grudges or to love unconditionally. Let us examine our own hearts and actions, seeking to grow in humility and compassion. May we, like Ahab, humble ourselves before God, and may we, like Jesus teaches, strive to love as God loves—without limits or conditions. In doing so, we become not only followers of Christ but also instruments of His mercy and love in the world.