- Admin
- Jun 7, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 27, 2024
June 10 - June 15, 2024
St Ephraim, deacon and doctor
Kings 17:1-6 Our story is the first of three “testing's” of Elijah. In itself, the story is slight enough but Elijah was highly significant right up to the time of Jesus. As a result, some stories about Jesus ought to be read in the light of Elijah traditions.
Matthew 5:1-12 Even non-religious people are attracted by the vision and ideals of the Sermon on the Mount. The beatitudes make a great opening to the Sermon—after all, who does not want to be happy? And yet, the path to happiness is highly paradoxical, right from the very start. We know this is true to our experience, but often we do not recall such wisdom.
St Barnabas, apostle
Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3 Barnabas is appropriately mentioned in today’s reading from the Acts. He was a close collaborator of Paul, until they had a major row and separated (Acts 15:39).
Matthew 5:1-12 Even non-religious people are attracted by the vision and ideals of the Sermon on the Mount. The beatitudes make a great opening to the Sermon—after all, who does not want to be happy? And yet, the path to happiness is highly paradoxical, right from the very start. We know this is true to our experience, but often we do not recall such wisdom.
1 Kings 18:20-39 Our reading today is a contest between idolatry and the worship of the one true God. Here we have a drama, with inherently comic aspects. It is, therefore, to be enjoyed and should be read aloud as such. For us today, with our many idolatries, the reading invites us to recognize that “the Lord is God.” The responsorial psalm picks up the same theme and enriches it.
Matthew 5:17-19 The first Christians were greatly exercised by one question: how much of the previous religious tradition should be retained and how much of it loses its importance in light of Christ. Paul is very liberal. Matthew—rather more traditional—seems to rein in such Pauline freedom. In Matthew’s mind, however, Jesus brings the law to completion (lit. fulfilment, an eschatological term). This takes us beyond mere repetition or observance to a new, radical view illustrated in the next verses.
St Anthony of Padua, priest, doctor
1 Kings 18:41-46 Our reading follows on yesterday’s and shows Elijah at the height of his powers, ending the drought. The last verse— Elijah as marathon runner—sustains the reputation of the prophet.
Matthew 5:20-26 Matthew’s Gospel is highly realistic when it comes to human behavior. For him, both forgiveness and reconciliation stand at the heart of discipleship.
St Davnet, virgin
1 Kings 19:9, 11-16 Today’s account is a favourite of many people on account of one line: “the sound of a gentle breeze.” The NRSV translation is more poetic and more paradoxical: “and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.”
Matthew 5:27-32 We hear today Jesus’ sharpening of the Law, moving from external acts to the internal movement of the heart.
1 Kings 19:19-21 This extraordinary scene is worth reading for itself and for its use in the Gospel. For itself: it looks forward to the time when Elijah will be dead and establishes Elisha as his prophetic heir. For its use in Luke’s Gospel: Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
Matthew 5:33-37 Our Gospel continues Jesus’ radicalization of the ethical behaviour. The last line should speak to any culture of equivocation, where yes doesn’t always mean yes and no doesn’t always mean no!
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ax, June 9). Tenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060924.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/
