In all the great deeds of both Elijah and Elisha what was their ultimate mission? To bring right worship back to the One true living God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. To reconcile everyone to Him who is patient, loving and merciful.
For He loved us while we were still sinners! And in His great mercy and love, He sent His Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to free us from all sin. How then can we withhold mercy and forgiveness from our brethren? For unless we become like Him who is loving and merciful, we are from Him!
Lead and guide me Lord to be more and more like You. Amen
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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 prophesied.
In his lifetime he performed wonders, and in death his works were marvellous.
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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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