14 Jun
Sat
10th Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kgs. 19:19-21
Ps. 15:1-2,5,7-8,9-10
Mt. 5:33-37
(Ps Wk II)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 

It may seem rather like nitpicking, what we find both Elijah and Jesus doing in our readings today. All Elisha wants is to pause to give his parents a goodbye kiss. Why reject him outright for such an apparently reasonable request. And what is really so objectionable about swearing? Why does Jesus speak out so strongly against it, even to the extent of deeming it demonic? And yet, petty though his master's words may seem, through his actions, Elisha demonstrates that he is not without understanding. By quickly slaughtering and cooking his oxen, Elisha performs a symbolic act that expresses his wholehearted resolve to follow Elijah. There is no turning back. Likewise, Jesus has a similar reason for insisting that we either say yes or no and nothing more. For instead of increasing the weight of what we say, oaths tend to weaken our yeses. If we only wholeheartedly mean something that is said on oath, doesn't that imply a halfhearted affirmation when we fail to swear? What Elijah and Jesus are both emphasizing today is the importance, in the spiritual life, of a wholehearted response. Half-measures and subtle compromises will not do.



How wholehearted is our following of the Lord today?

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That all Christians may cultivate a deep and personal friendship with Christ, in order to be able to communicate the strength of his love to every person they meet.
Elaboration

- END -


© Copyright Shalom 2008. All rights reserved.