Jun 10, 2024

10 June 2024 - Daily Mass Readings

Monday of week 10 in Ordinary Time
Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass

________

First reading
1 Kings 17:1-6

Elijah stands before the Lord God of Israel.

Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab: “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, during these years there shall be no dew or rain except at my word.” The LORD then said to Elijah: “Leave here, go east and hide in the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan. You shall drink of the stream, and I have commanded ravens to feed you there.” So he left and did as the LORD had commanded. He went and remained by the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan. Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the stream.


Commentary

1 Kings 17:1-6 marks the introduction of Elijah, one of the most significant prophets in the Old Testament. This passage details Elijah's prophecy of a severe drought, his subsequent flight to the Kerith Ravine, and God's miraculous provision for him through ravens. These verses highlight themes of faith, obedience, and divine provision.

  1. Elijah's Bold Declaration
    In this passage, Elijah confronts King Ahab, declaring a drought as punishment for Israel's idolatry. This bold act establishes Elijah's role as God's prophet, demonstrating his courage and unwavering faith in God’s word.

  2. Divine Command and Obedience
    God instructs Elijah to leave and hide by the Kerith Ravine. Elijah's immediate compliance underscores the importance of following God's directives, even when they seem difficult or perilous.

  3. God's Provision in the Wilderness
    God promises to send ravens to feed Elijah, ensuring his survival during the drought. This provision illustrates God's sovereignty and His ability to care for His servants in extraordinary ways.

  4. Faith in Action
    Elijah follows God’s instructions without hesitation, reflecting his deep trust in God’s plan. Elijah’s actions serve as a model of faith in action, demonstrating that true faith involves trust and obedience.

  5. Daily Dependence on God
    The ravens bring Elijah food twice a day, highlighting the daily, ongoing nature of God’s provision. This emphasizes the necessity of continual reliance on God for our needs, reinforcing the concept of daily dependence on divine provision.

1 Kings 17:1-6 encapsulates key themes of faith, obedience, and divine care. Elijah's story in these verses encourages believers to trust in God's provision and to follow His commands, even in challenging circumstances. The miraculous feeding by ravens serves as a powerful reminder that God is capable of providing for His people in the most unexpected ways.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 121:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
    whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
    who made heaven and earth.

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

May he not suffer your foot to slip;
    may he slumber not who guards you:
Indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
    the guardian of Israel.

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade;
    he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The LORD will guard you from all evil;
    he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
    both now and forever.

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

________

Gospel Acclamation
Matthew 5:12a

Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad;
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Alleluia, alleluia.

________

Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12

Blessed are the poor in spirit.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
    for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
    and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
    for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”


Commentary

Matthew 5:1-12, known as the Beatitudes, marks the beginning of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. This passage outlines a series of blessings that highlight the values of the Kingdom of Heaven, emphasizing humility, mercy, purity, and peace.

  1. Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
    Jesus blesses those who recognize their spiritual neediness, emphasizing humility as the gateway to the Kingdom of Heaven.

  2. Blessed are Those who Mourn
    Those who grieve are promised comfort, highlighting God’s compassion for those suffering and sorrowful.

  3. Blessed are the Meek
    Meekness, or gentle strength, is praised, with the promise that the meek will inherit the earth, underscoring the value of humility and patience.

  4. Blessed are Those who Hunger for Righteousness
    A deep desire for justice and moral integrity will be fulfilled, reflecting God’s commitment to righteousness.

  5. Blessed are the Merciful
    Showing mercy to others leads to receiving mercy from God, encouraging acts of compassion and forgiveness.

  6. Blessed are the Pure in Heart
    Sincerity and moral integrity are essential, with the promise that the pure in heart will see God.

  7. Blessed are the Peacemakers
    Those who actively seek peace and reconciliation are called children of God, highlighting the value of harmony.

  8. Blessed are the Persecuted for Righteousness
    Enduring persecution for righteousness ensures a place in the Kingdom of Heaven, reflecting the cost and reward of discipleship.

  9. Blessed are You when Insulted for Faith
    Facing slander and persecution for faith in Jesus brings great reward in heaven, aligning believers with the prophets who suffered for God’s truth.

The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 outline the attitudes and behaviour's that define the citizens of God's Kingdom. These teachings challenge conventional values and offer a vision of true blessedness rooted in spiritual depth and ethical living. They encourage believers to embody these virtues, promising divine blessings and eternal rewards.

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