DO NOT LOOK DISMAL…

2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 
1 Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
6 Then Elijah said to him,”Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.
7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan.
8 Then Elijah took his mantle, and rolled it up, and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”
10 And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.”
11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 
13 And he took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
14 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other; and Elisha went over.

Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

1″Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.2 “Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4 so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
16 “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men.Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,18 that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

MEDITATION

THE FIRST READING tells the story when both Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan on dry ground after Elijah opened the water with his mantle! Knowing that Yahweh had promised to take him up to heaven, Elijah was careful (v10) of being self deceived (Mt 7:19-23), when he could not promise Elisha that he will bequeath to him a “double share of [his] spirit! 

We do however note that Elisha was rewarded with an extraordinary spiritual charism when he opened the Jordan with the mantle that was given him by Elijah, so he may execute the prophetic ministry that was bequeathed to him. 

THE GOSPEL READING: At their ordination, priests are concentrated, configured to Christ to exercise their calling to; teach, sanctify, govern, transform the flock and prophetise, meaning to “speak forth”—preach the gospel—rather than being a “fore-teller!” Christ in no uncertain terms have a disdain for irreligious self promoted pastors who seek the public limelight.

Christ call all of us to be a humble people who do not parade or trumpet our gifts, virtues and acts of piety and charity before men. Instead, we must so to speak opperate under the radar, be joyful rather than dismal and hubristic when doing what we have promised and aught to do; be it in prayer and service tending to the bereaved, aged, sick, hungry and the dying. 

LET US PRAY: Psalms 31:20-21,2420 In the covert of thy presence thou hidest them from the plots of men; thou holdest them safe under thy shelter from the strife of tongues.21 Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as in a besieged city.24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days