ALL SAINTS: 20 June 2024 - Daily Mass Readings

Thursday of week 11 in Ordinary Time

Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass
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First reading

Sirach 48:1-14

Elijah was enveloped in a whirlwind, and Elisha was filled with the twofold portion of his spirit.

Like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah

whose words were as a flaming furnace.

Their staff of bread he shattered,

in his zeal he reduced them to straits;

By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens

and three times brought down fire.

How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!

Whose glory is equal to yours?

You brought a dead man back to life

from the nether world, by the will of the LORD.

You sent kings down to destruction,

and easily broke their power into pieces.

You brought down nobles, from their beds of sickness.

You heard threats at Sinai,

at Horeb avenging judgments.

You anointed kings who should inflict vengeance,

and a prophet as your successor.

You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,

in a chariot with fiery horses.

You were destined, it is written, in time to come

to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,

To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,

and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.

Blessed is he who shall have seen you

And who falls asleep in your friendship.

For we live only in our life,

but after death our name will not be such.

O Elijah, enveloped in the whirlwind!

Then Elisha, filled with the twofold portion of his spirit,

wrought many marvels by his mere word.

During his lifetime he feared no one,

nor was any man able to intimidate his will.

Nothing was beyond his power;

beneath him flesh was brought back into life.

In life he performed wonders,

and after death, marvelous deeds.

Commentary

Sirach 48:1-14 highlights the powerful ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, showcasing their faithfulness and miraculous deeds.

Elijah’s Miracles: Elijah, a prophet like fire, performed miracles like stopping the rain and calling down fire from heaven, guiding Israel back to God.
Elijah’s Ascension: Elijah’s ascension to heaven in a whirlwind signifies his exceptional status and the expectation of his return before the day of the Lord.
Elisha’s Double Portion: Elisha, with a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, continued his mentor's mission, performing miracles such as multiplying oil and raising the dead.
Elisha’s Acts: Elisha’s acts, like parting the Jordan River and purifying poisoned water, demonstrate God’s ongoing care for His people through His prophets.
Elisha’s Legacy: Even after death, Elisha’s bones performed miracles, showing the enduring nature of God’s power and legacy through His servants.

Sirach 48:1-14 inspires us to trust in God’s power and remain faithful, reminding us that God’s work continues through His chosen servants and beyond.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 97:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7