Introduction
May I take this opportunity to draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation is intended to share with you the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception,
can experience that joy by opening their heart
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day.
Consideration
The prophetic succession of Elijah by Elisha is unique in the Bible. The continuity of the prophetic mission ensures the irresistible continuation of God’s word and the safeguarding of traditional values, even in the face of kings and monarchs. The spirit of Elijah dwells in Elisha. The parting of the Jordan and the entry into the Promised Land clearly recall the appointment of Joshua and his entry into the land across the dry bed of the Jordan.
FIRST READING 2 Kings 2:1, 6–14
Suddenly a chariot of fire
and Elijah was taken up into heaven.
From the Second Book of Kings
Shortly before the Lord
was to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind,
he set out from Gilgal with Elisha.
Elijah said to Elisha:
“Stay here, for the Lord is sending me to the Jordan.”
Elisha replied:
“As surely as the Lord lives and as surely as you live:
I will not leave you.”
Then they went on together.
Fifty members of the company of prophets followed them,
but kept their distance,
when Elijah and Elisha stopped together by the Jordan.
Then Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up
and struck the water with it.
The water parted to the left and right
and both walked across the dry riverbed to the other side.
When they had reached the other side, Elijah said to Elisha:
“Ask for one last favour before I am taken from you.”
Elisha replied:
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit.”
Elijah replied:
“You are asking for a difficult thing,
but if you see me when I am taken up,
your prayer will be answered;
if you do not see me,
then your prayer will not be answered.”
As they continued on their way, talking,
suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared,
which separated them,
and in a whirlwind Elijah was taken up into heaven.
Elisha saw this and cried out:
“Father, father, Israel’s chariots and horsemen!”
When he could no longer see him,
he seized his clothes and tore them in two.
Then he picked up the cloak that Elijah had dropped,
returned and stood on the bank of the Jordan;
he took Elijah’s cloak,
struck the water with it and cried out:
“Where then is the Lord, the God of Elijah?”
Elisha struck the water again,
and now it parted to the left and to the right,
so that he could cross over.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 31(30), 20, 21, 24
Take courage and be fearless
all you who hope in the Lord.
How great are your blessings, Lord,
which you have prepared for those who fear you.
You bestow them on all who come to You,
visible to all people.
The radiance of Your Countenance protects him always
when people turn against him.
You take him into Your tent,
sheltered from evil tongues.
The Lord loves all His faithful ones;
the Lord protects all who remain faithful to Him.
But whoever turns against Him in pride
He repays with interest.
ALLELUIA Ps. 119(118), 27
Alleluia;
Lead me in the way of your commandments, Lord,
and I will keep your deeds in mind.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt. 6, 1-6, 16-18
Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Matthew
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care:
do not practise your righteousness before men,
to attract attention;
otherwise you will have no reward
from your Father in heaven.
“So when you give alms,
do not sound a trumpet before you
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,
so that they may be praised by men.
“Truly I tell you:
they have already received their reward.
“When you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing
so that your alms may remain in secret;
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites
who love to pray in the synagogues
and on the street corners
to be seen by others.
“Truly, I say to you:
They have already received their reward!
“But when you pray,
go into your inner room,
shut the door behind you,
and pray to your Father, who is in secret;
and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
“When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites;
they disfigure their faces
to show men that they are fasting.
“Truly, I say to you:
They have already received their reward.
“But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face
so that you do not appear to be fasting to people,
but fast for your Father who is in secret
and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.”
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Laudato Si
Encyclical of
POPE FRANCIS
On Care for Our Common Home by Pope Francis
149. Moreover, it has been shown that the extreme poverty found in
some situations, where there is a lack of harmony, space and opportunities for
integration, facilitates the emergence of inhuman behaviour
and the manipulation of people by criminal organisations. For
residents of socially vulnerable neighbourhoods, the daily experience of
overcrowding and social anonymity found in large cities
can evoke a sense of rootlessness that provokes antisocial behaviour and
violence. Nevertheless, I am keen to emphasise that love is stronger
. In these circumstances, a great many people are capable of forging bonds of
solidarity and coexistence that transform overcrowding
into an experience of community in which the walls of the self are
and the boundaries of selfishness are overcome. This
experience of shared happiness usually inspires creative responses
to embellish a building or a residential area.
To be continued.
Every day at 1 am
The Bible text in this edition is taken fromThe New Bible Translation,
©Nederlands Bijbelgenootschap 2004/2007.
Reflections from Liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official english translation