Daily Readings for June 17, 2018

1st READING

God chooses servants according to His wisdom and principles. Often, His choice is an unexpected one that baffles us. God is unpredictable and this is a good thing. It reminds us that His ways are not our ways – we cannot second-guess how He thinks. God often seems to be an “out of the blue,” effective approach to a problem or situation.

Ezekiel 17:22-24

22 Thus says the Lord God: I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar, from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot, and plant it on a high and lofty mountain; 23 on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it. It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs. 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, bring low the high tree, lift high the lowly tree, wither up the green tree, and make the withered tree bloom. As I, the Lord, have spoken, so will I do.

P S A L M 

Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16

R: Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

1 [2] It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praise to your name, Most High, 2 [3] to proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night. (R) 12 [13] The just one shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. 13 [14] They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. (R) 14 [15] They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be, 15 [16] declaring how just is the Lord, my Rock, in whom there is no wrong. (R)

2ND READING

Our earthly life is a preparation for eternity. Our life here gives us the opportunity to develop our talents and gifts in the service of God’s Kingdom. Our humanity tells us who we are – persons in the midst of a community of faith. One day, our bodies will be transformed — though it is not yet clear how — and this will be for us a great joy. Let us look forward to eternal life with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10

6 Brothers and sisters: We are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. 9 Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

GOSPEL 

A lot about our spiritual life is a mystery to us. Most people have no idea of how plants grow, so this image in today’s Gospel is a good one for the spiritual life. God is working within to transform us into His image and likeness. Let us believe this and pray for the grace to persevere through life’s difficulties.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live for ever.

Mark 4:26-34

26 Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” 30 He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Daily Readings for June 16, 2018

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.”

Daily Readings for June 15, 2018

1st READING

We often look for the Lord in the wrong places. We look for Him in success, but find Him in service. We look for the Lord in wealth, but find Him in a simple life that glorifies Him. Elijah found the Lord not in the strong wind or the earthquake, he encountered the Lord in a tiny whisper.

1 Kings 19:9, 11-16

9 At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the Lord came to him, 11 “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing 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. 12 After the earthquake there was fire — but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. 13 When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Elijah, why are you here?” 14 He replied, “I have been most zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. But the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go, take the road back to the desert near Damascus. When you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king of Aram. 16 Then you shall anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel, and Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.”

P S A L M  

Psalm 27:7-8, 8-9, 13-14

R: I long to see your face, O Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. 8 Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks. (R) Your presence, O Lord, I seek. 9 Hide not your face from me; do not in anger repel your servant. You are my helper; cast me not off. (R) 13 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. (R)

GOSPEL

Marriage is the bedrock of our society. Man and woman are joined in love so that they can enrich the world with children. If our relationships are not rooted in this truth, then there is no marriage. God’s purpose for marriage is unity between husband and wife, and procreation – giving birth to new life. Let us defend this institution from erosion and decay, particularly from those whose agenda is to remove the Judeo-Christian ethic from our society. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life.

Matthew 5:27-32

27 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. 28 But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. 31 It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. 32 But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

Daily Readings for June 14, 2018

1st READING 

God’s hand is upon the weather and the drought is about to end. Elijah needs to go down from Mount Carmel before the coming rains make it impossible. God gives him “flying feet” as he rushes past the chariot of Ahab to Jezreel. If we want our ministries to move forward, if we want to help change lives, if we want to see communities transformed, then we must pray that the people surrender to God’s grace and allow the Holy Spirit to take control.

1 Kings 18:41-46

41 Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink, while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, crouched down to the earth, and put his head between his knees. 43 “Climb up and look out to sea,” he directed his servant, who went up and looked, but reported, “There is nothing.” Seven times he said, “Go look again!” 44 And the seventh time the youth reported, “There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Elijah said, “Go and say to Ahab, ‘Harness up and leave the mountain before the rain stops you.’” 45 In a trice, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and a heavy rain fell. Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel. 46 But the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, who girded up his clothing and ran before Ahab as far as the approaches to Jezreel.

P S A L M 

Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13

R: It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

9 [10] You have visited the land and watered it; greatly have you enriched it. God’s watercourses are filled; you have prepared the grain. (R) 10 [11] Thus have you prepared the land: drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods, softening it with showers, blessing its yield. (R) 11 [12] You have crowned the year with your bounty, and your paths overflow with a rich harvest; 12 [13] the untilled meadows overflow with it, and rejoicing clothes the hills. (R)

GOSPEL

Righteousness is a difficult concept to understand. The way we use the word today is tinged with pejorative color. But righteousness as taught by Jesus is akin to holiness, and we strive to be holy like Him. Let us live in righteousness and truth so that the Gospel will be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. 

Matthew 5:20-26

20 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. 21 You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

Daily Readings for June 13, 2018

1st READING

It would have been a spectacle to behold – Elijah versus the 450 prophets of Baal. God, in His faithfulness, answered Elijah’s prayer and showed the people His might and power. Because he trusted God completely, Elijah even taunted his adversaries and said that maybe their god was too busy and did not hear them. And indeed, Elijah emerged victorious.

1 Kings 18:20-39

20 Ahab sent to all the children of Israel and had the prophets assemble on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah appealed to all the people and said, “How long will you straddle the issue? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.” The people, however, did not answer him. 22 So Elijah said to the people, “I am the only surviving prophet of the Lord, and there are four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. 23 Give us two young bulls. Let them choose one, cut it into pieces, and place it on the wood, but start no fire. I shall prepare the other and place it on the wood, but shall start no fire. 24 You shall call on your gods, and I will call on the Lord. The God who answers with fire is God.” All the people answered, “Agreed!” 25 Elijah then said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one young bull and prepare it first, for there are more of you. Call upon your gods, but do not start the fire.” 26 Taking the young bull that was turned over to them, they prepared it and called on Baal from morning to noon, saying, “Answer us, Baal!” But there was no sound, and no one answering. And they hopped around the altar they had prepared. 27 When it was noon, Elijah taunted them: “Call louder, for he is a god and may be meditating, or may have retired, or may be on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 They called out louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until blood gushed over them. 29 Noon passed and they remained in a prophetic state until the time for offering sacrifice. But there was not a sound; no one answered, and no one was listening. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” When the people had done so, he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been destroyed. 31 He took twelve stones, for the number of tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the Lord had said, “Your name shall be Israel.” 32 He built an altar in honor of the Lord with the stones, and made a trench around the altar large enough for two measures of grain. 33 When he had arranged the wood, he cut up the young bull and laid it on the wood. 34 “Fill four jars with water,” he said, “and pour it over the burnt offering and over the wood.” “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again. “Do it a third time,” he said, and they did it a third time. 35 The water flowed around the altar, and the trench was filled with the water. 36 At the time for offering sacrifice, the prophet Elijah came forward and said, “Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things by your command. 37 Answer me, Lord! Answer me, that this people may know that you, Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to their senses.” 38 The Lord’s fire came down and consumed the burnt offering, wood, stones, and dust, and it lapped up the water in the trench. 39 Seeing this, all the people fell prostrate and said, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!”

P S A L M 

Psalm 16:1-2, 4, 5, 8, 11

R: Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” (R) 4 They multiply their sorrows who court other gods. Blood libations to them I will not pour out, nor will I take their names upon my lips. (R) 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)

GOSPEL 

Jesus claims that He has come to fulfill the law and not to abolish it. There is a huge difference between these actions, a difference that we need to distinguish as His disciples. Jesus has won victory over sin, as Elijah has won over the prophets of Baal. This is the Good News. May we surrender to the Lord and share in His victory.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Teach me your paths, my God, and guide me in your truth.

Matthew 5:17-19

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”