Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Kings 19:19-21 & Mt. 5:33-37

Elijah was a great prophet of the Old Testament and is sometimes presented as representing the essence of prophecy in lsrael. Before his death he was moved by God to appoint Elisha as his successor. Apparently Elisha was rather well off financially to judge from the fact that he owned 12 yoke of oxen and had several men in his employment. When called by Elijah he was at first somewhat reluctant, asking to spend a moment with his parents. Elijah grudgingly granted permission in a rather enigmatic way: "Go back, for have I done anything to you?"

1 Kings 19:9, 11-16 & Mt. 5:27-32

1 Kings 18:41-46 & Mt. 5:20-26

"If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not get into the kingdom of Heaven." What did Jesus mean by these words? I am sure the scribes and Pharisees wanted to get to Heaven but were just doing the bare minimum that would enable them to achieve their ambition. That was not enough for Jesus Who always wants us to give of our best, in everything that we do in life.

1 Kings 18:20-39 & Mt. 5:17-19

Traffic laws have been drawn up for very good reasons, for our safety, for respecting the rights of other drivers as well as our own, and for the welfare of pedestrians. They are the result of common sense, courtesy and respect for others. Abiding by them leads to fewer accidents; breaking them will most certainly increase the frequency of injuries and death.

1 Kings 17:7-16 ; Mt. 5:13-16

What great compliments Jesus paid to His listeners when He called them “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. Had they ever thought of themselves in such glowing terms?

1 Kings 17:1-6 & Mt. 5:1-12

Anyone in the position of Elijah, the prophet, would have felt very insecure. He was called by God to warn Ahab to change his evil ways after marrying Jezebel, a very evil pagan with total influence over him. She made him abandon the God of Israel and worship the pagan Baal instead. He even went so far as to erect an altar to him in a temple he built. The Bible says of him that he did more to anger the Lord than any of the kings of Israel before him.

Lk.7:11-17

How do you respond to the misfortunes of others? In a number of places the Gospel records that Jesus was "moved to the depths of His heart" when He met with individuals or groups of people. Our modern word compassion does not fully convey the deeper meaning of the original Hebrew which expresses heartfelt sympathy and personal empathy with the suffering person. Why was Jesus so moved on this occasion when He met a widow and a crowded funeral procession on their way to the cemetery?

Kings 19:19-21 & Mt. 5:33-37

Elijah was a great prophet of the Old Testament and is sometimes presented as representing the essence of prophecy in lsrael. Before his death he was moved by God to appoint Elisha as his successor. Apparently Elisha was rather well off financially to judge from the fact that he owned 12 yoke of oxen and had several men in his employment. When called by Elijah he was at first somewhat reluctant, asking to spend a moment with his parents. Elijah grudgingly granted permission in a rather enigmatic way: "Go back, for have I done anything to you?"

1 Kings 19:9, 11-16 & Mt. 5:27-32

1 Kings 18:41-46 & Mt. 5:20-26

"If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not get into the kingdom of Heaven." What did Jesus mean by these words? I am sure the scribes and Pharisees wanted to get to Heaven but were just doing the bare minimum that would enable them to achieve their ambition. That was not enough for Jesus Who always wants us to give of our best, in everything that we do in life.