FIRST
READING: 2
Kings 2: 1, 6 - 14
1
Yahweh took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. It happened this way:
Elijah and Elisha had left Gilgal.
6
Elijah said once more to Elisha, "Stay here, I beg you, for
Yahweh is only sending me to the Jordan." But Elisha answered,
"I swear by Yahweh and by your life that I will never leave
you." And as they went on their way,
7
fifty fellow prophets of Jericho followed them at a certain distance.
When
Elijah and Elisha stood by the Jordan
8
Elijah took his mantle, rolled it, and struck the water with it. The
water parted to both sides and they crossed over on dry ground.
9
After they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "What shall I do
for you before I am taken away from you? Ask me." Elisha said,
"Grant that I may have the best of your spirit."
10
Elijah answered, "Your request is most difficult. Yet if you see
me while I am being taken from you, then you shall have it. But if
not, you shall not have it."
11
As they were talking on the way, a chariot of fire with horses of
fire stood between them, and Elijah was taken up to heaven in a
whirlwind.
12
Elisha saw him and cried out, "Father, my father, chariots of
Israel and its horsemen!"
When
Elisha lost sight of him, he took hold of his own clothes and tore
them.
13
He then picked up the mantle which had fallen from Elijah and
returned to the banks of the Jordan.
14
There he struck the water with the mantle, but it did not part. So he
asked, "Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?" And as he
struck the water again it parted. Elisha crossed over.
PSALM:
Psalms 31:
20 - 21, 24
20
How great is the goodness which you have stored for those who fear
you, which you show, for all to see, to those who take refuge in you!
21
In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human wiles; you
keep them in your dwelling, safe from the intrigues of wagging
tongues.
24
Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves his faithful,
but he fully requites the arrogant.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 6:
1 - 6, 16 - 18
1
Be careful not to make a show of your righteousness before people. If
you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven.
2
When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before
you, as do those who want to be seen in the synagogues and in the
streets in order to be praised by the people. I assure you, they have
been already paid in full.
3
If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know
what your right hand is doing,
4
so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father who sees what is
kept secret, will reward you.
5
When you pray, do not be like those who want to be seen. They love to
stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by
everyone. I assure you, they have already been paid in full.
6
When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your
Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is
kept secret will reward you.
16
When you fast, do not put on a miserable face as do the hypocrites.
They put on a gloomy face, so people can see they are fasting. I tell
you this: they have been paid in full already.
17
When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful,
18
because you are not fasting for appearances or for people, but for
your Father who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees
what is kept secret will reward you.
