How do you know if the Lord our God is with you and in the lives who serve alongside you if you refuse to place Him first above all in everything you do? If you refuse to set aside time to dwell and share how Jesus has touched you or hear how the rest of your community are walking in His presence? If you place the importance of meetings above Him, whom are you serving? Whose Kingdom do you build? Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. Ps 127:1
The Lord our God was above and beyond everything in the lives of Elijah and Elisha and they lived according to His Will for them. God our Father’s name was held Holy, His Kingdom come, His Will be done! By their commitment and zeal they reconciled many unto the Lord their God, turning the hearts of fathers towards their children! They won over lives heading towards death and destruction by sin and unrepentance. Their deeds for the Lord our God were indeed great and marvellous but they were simply foreshadows of God’s only begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who would come to reconcile the world unto Himself. In His ultimate sacrifice for us, we have hope of eternal life with Him, His mercy, love and peace is upon us. How then can He not be placed above all in everything we say and do?
Lord Jesus You are the Lord of Lords, King of kings. Reign now in my heart forevermore. Amen
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.
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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