June 9 2022

First reading 1 Kings 18:41-46

‘A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand’

Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go back, eat and drink; for I hear the sound of rain.’ While Ahab went back to eat and drink, Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel and bowed down to the earth, putting his face between his knees. ‘Now go up,’ he told his servant ‘and look out to the sea.’ He went up and looked. ‘There is nothing at all’ he said. ‘Go back seven times’ Elijah said. The seventh time, the servant said, ‘Now there is a cloud, small as a man’s hand, rising from the sea.’ Elijah said, ‘Go and say to Ahab, “Harness the chariot and go down before the rain stops you.”’ And with that the sky grew dark with cloud and storm, and rain fell in torrents. Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel. The hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and tucking up his cloak he ran in front of Ahab as far as the outskirts of Jezreel.

Responsorial Psalm 64(65):10-13

To you our praise is due in Zion, O God.

You care for the earth, give it water,

you fill it with riches.

Your river in heaven brims over

to provide its grain.

And thus you provide for the earth;

you drench its furrows;

you level it, soften it with showers;

you bless its growth.

You crown the year with your goodness.

Abundance flows in your steps,

in the pastures of the wilderness it flows.

The hills are girded with joy.

Gospel Matthew 5:20-26

Anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’

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But I say to you… reconcile

In today’s gospel, Jesus calls us to a virtue that goes beyond that of the
scribes and Pharisees. It is not just a matter of following the letter of the
commandment but following its spirit, which is to love. Jesus presents
the commandment, “You shall not kill” and goes beyond the external
action of harming and goes to the root cause, which is anger. Thus, He
said, “But I say this to you, anyone who is angry with a brother will
answer for it before the court…”. Anger leads us to breed hatred and
create walls that divide us from others. Jesus calls us to love by working
for reconciliation with those who are estranged from us.

The path of reconciliation and forgiveness that Jesus calls us to embrace
is not easy, but it is the way to experience true freedom and happiness.
Today, let us allow the Holy Spirit to come and renew our minds and
hearts so that we can reflect Jesus’ love for others.

Question for reflection:
Can I put forgiveness and reconciliation into action in my own life?

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