June 16 2022

First reading Ecclesiasticus 48:1-15

The spirit of Elijah fills Elisha

The prophet Elijah arose like a fire,

his word flaring like a torch.

It was he who brought famine on the people,

and who decimated them in his zeal.

By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens,

he also, three times, brought down fire.

How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah!

Has anyone reason to boast as you have? –

rousing a corpse from death,

from Sheol by the word of the Most High;

dragging kings down to destruction,

and high dignitaries from their beds;

hearing reproof on Sinai,

and decrees of punishment on Horeb;

anointing kings as avengers,

and prophets to succeed you;

taken up in the whirlwind of fire,

in a chariot with fiery horses;

designated in the prophecies of doom

to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks,

to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children,

and to restore the tribes of Jacob,

Happy shall they be who see you,

and those who have fallen asleep in love;

for we too will have life.

Elijah was shrouded in the whirlwind,

and Elisha was filled with his spirit;

throughout his life no ruler could shake him,

and no one could subdue him.

No task was too hard for him,

and even in death his body prophesied.

In his lifetime he performed wonders,

and in death his works were marvellous.

Responsorial Psalm 96(97):1-7

Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.

The Lord is king, let earth rejoice,

let all the coastlands be glad.

Cloud and darkness are his raiment;

his throne, justice and right.

A fire prepares his path;

it burns up his foes on every side.

His lightnings light up the world,

the earth trembles at the sight.

The mountains melt like wax

before the Lord of all the earth.

The skies proclaim his justice;

all peoples see his glory.

Let those who serve idols be ashamed,

those who boast of their worthless gods.

All you spirits, worship him.

Gospel Matthew 6:7-15

How to pray

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:

‘Our Father in heaven,

may your name be held holy,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.

And do not put us to the test,

but save us from the evil one.

‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’

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To pray with trust

Jesus told the disciples that they did not need to pray by babbling,
thinking they could sway and control God with many words. Instead,
Jesus wanted His disciples to pray to God with trust. He then taught them
the prayer of the Our Father, which is a prayer of trust, a prayer of deep
awareness of the loving presence of God.

Today, Jesus wants us to pray with trust. The words of the Our Father
prayer are so familiar to us that they become meaningless for us. Today,
let us allow each phrase to sink into us. We pray for God’s kingdom,
which is His very presence of love, to come and that we can seek always
to do His will, not ours. With God as the centre of our lives, we depend
on Him to give us the daily bread of strength and peace, forgive our sins

as we forgive others, and help us to face trials and difficulties. The Our
Father prayer is a prayer of trust in God, who loves us and wants the
best for us.

Question for reflection:
Which phrase in the Our Father prayer brings comfort to me?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.