1st READING
Elijah calls Elisha to be his apprentice and teaches him in the ways of a prophet. This is an important aspect of ministry – for one who is wise and experienced to mentor and guide a first timer in the ministry. Let us pray for the humility to accept the need to raise new leaders, new servants to continue the ministry.
1 Kings 19:19-21
19 Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. 20 Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” 21 Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.
P S A L M
Psalm 16:1b-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10
R: You are my inheritance, O Lord.
1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, it is you who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R)
GOSPEL
We live ordinary lives and it is rare that we encounter an extreme or spectacular experience. Jesus encourages us in today’s Gospel to simply speak the truth. Superlatives can hide the real issue at stake and can muddle the truth. Let us be direct and address what needs to be addressed.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Incline my heart, O God, to your decrease; and favor me with your law.
Matthew 5:33-37
33 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
Elijah calls Elisha to be his apprentice and teaches him in the ways of a prophet. This is an important aspect of ministry – for one who is wise and experienced to mentor and guide a first timer in the ministry. Let us pray for the humility to accept the need to raise new leaders, new servants to continue the ministry.
1 Kings 19:19-21
19 Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. 20 Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” 21 Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.
P S A L M
Psalm 16:1b-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10
R: You are my inheritance, O Lord.
1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, it is you who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R)
GOSPEL
We live ordinary lives and it is rare that we encounter an extreme or spectacular experience. Jesus encourages us in today’s Gospel to simply speak the truth. Superlatives can hide the real issue at stake and can muddle the truth. Let us be direct and address what needs to be addressed.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Incline my heart, O God, to your decrease; and favor me with your law.
Matthew 5:33-37
33 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
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