Thursday 18 June 2026
Ecclesiasticus 48:1-14. Let the just rejoice in the Lord – Ps 96(97):1-7. Matthew 6:7-15.
Profound sense of wonder
Today’s first reading is a sort of summation of the stories of Elijah that we’ve heard in the readings in the days preceding it. And as awesome as those tales are, we can end up wondering what exactly is the point. Respect for the fiery chariot and horses and all, but why am I listening to all this praise for a guy who is a bit player in the bigger story of Scripture?
In part this is the hazard of breaking up narratives into readable liturgical chunks. Some lose their significance or power. But the writer of Sirach is also inviting us into a profound sense of wonder. Rather than just an idea or some mysterious, distant being, God truly is real and active in our world. And not just in the time and work of Elijah: Pope Francis didn’t ascend in a fiery whirlwind, but didn’t we feel the same watching him?
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