Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

• First Reading – 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-16: Elijah, at Mount Horeb, hears God’s gentle whisper. God instructs him to anoint Hazael as king of Aram, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 27: I seek the LORD’s presence, asking for mercy and help. I believe in seeing His goodness. I will wait for the LORD with courage and strength.
• Gospel – Matthew 5:27-32: Jesus teaches that even lustful thoughts are adultery. He emphasizes avoiding sin, even if it means losing a body part. Divorce leads to adultery for all involved.

Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

Matthew 5:28

On Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings focus on hearing God’s voice and living a life of purity and faithfulness. These themes guide us to understand the importance of listening to God and following His commandments in our daily lives.

• God’s Gentle Whisper: Elijah hears God’s voice as a gentle whisper. This shows that God speaks to us in calm and quiet ways, guiding us gently.
• Obedience to God: God instructs Elijah to anoint new leaders. This teaches us to follow God’s instructions even when they lead to major changes.
• Avoiding Sin: Jesus warns against even lustful thoughts. This highlights the importance of purity in our thoughts and actions.
• Radical Avoidance of Sin: Jesus says to remove anything that causes us to sin. This means we should be willing to make sacrifices to avoid sin.
• Faithfulness in Marriage: Jesus talks about the seriousness of adultery and divorce. This emphasizes the importance of being faithful and keeping our marriage vows.

These themes from Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us to listen to God and live according to His ways. They guide us to stay pure and faithful in our thoughts and actions.

On Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we learn about Elijah’s experience on Mount Horeb. Elijah is hiding in a cave, feeling afraid and alone. God tells him to stand on the mountain and wait for Him. There is a strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire, but God is not in any of these. Instead, God speaks to Elijah in a gentle whisper. This shows us that God often speaks to us in quiet and simple ways.

We live in a noisy world, full of distractions. It can be hard to hear God’s voice. But just like Elijah, we need to find moments of silence and listen carefully. God’s gentle whisper can guide us, comfort us, and give us direction.

God tells Elijah to anoint Hazael as king of Aram, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor. Elijah follows God’s instructions. This teaches us the importance of obedience. When God asks us to do something, we should trust Him and obey, even if it seems difficult or unclear.

Faithfulness in Marriage

In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about purity. He says that even lustful thoughts are like adultery. Jesus wants us to be pure in our thoughts and actions. He challenges us to avoid sin completely, even if it means making big sacrifices. This can be hard, but Jesus knows that purity brings us closer to God.

Jesus also speaks about faithfulness in marriage. He says that divorce leads to adultery for everyone involved. Marriage is a sacred bond that should not be broken. Jesus wants us to honor our marriage vows and stay faithful to our spouses. This shows us how important it is to keep our promises and be loyal in our relationships.

Obedience and Purity

On Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded to listen for God’s voice, obey His commands, and live pure and faithful lives. These teachings guide us to be better followers of Christ. By paying attention to God’s gentle whisper and making efforts to avoid sin, we grow closer to Him.

Let us take these lessons to heart and apply them in our daily lives. By doing so, we can find peace and strength in our faith. We can trust that God will always guide us and help us on our journey.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to hear Your gentle whisper in our busy lives. Give us the strength to obey Your commands and live pure and faithful lives. Guide us to make the right choices and stay close to You always. Amen.

USCCB Reflection: Listening and Obeying

On Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we learn from the prophet Elijah’s example of listening to God’s voice and obeying His commands. Elijah hides in a cave, fearing for his life after slaying pagan prophets. God speaks to him in a whisper, instructing him to anoint new leaders. Like Elijah, Jesus renews God’s covenant, teaching love and faithfulness. He instructs His disciples on law, anger, adultery, and more, guiding them to live closer to God. Though we may fail, we must always strive to love as God loves us, seeking His grace.

What date is Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Friday June 14, 2024.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Friday June 14, 2024 are:
First Reading  – 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-16: Elijah’s Encounter with God
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 27: Seeking God’s Face
Gospel – Matthew 5:27-32: Teaching on Adultery and Divorce

Why does God speak to Elijah in a gentle whisper?

God speaks to Elijah in a gentle whisper to show that He is present in calm and quiet ways. This teaches us to listen carefully for God’s voice in our lives, even in silence.

What can we learn from Elijah’s obedience to God?

Elijah’s obedience shows us the importance of trusting and following God’s instructions. Even when tasks seem difficult, obeying God leads us to His plan for us.

Why does Jesus say that even lustful thoughts are like adultery?

Jesus says lustful thoughts are like adultery because He wants us to be pure in both our thoughts and actions. Purity in our minds helps us stay close to God.

What does Jesus mean by removing body parts to avoid sin?

Jesus uses strong language to show how serious we should be about avoiding sin. He means we should remove anything from our lives that leads us to sin, even if it’s difficult.

Why is faithfulness in marriage important according to Jesus?

Faithfulness in marriage is important because marriage is a sacred bond. Jesus wants us to honor our marriage vows and stay loyal to our spouses.

How can we hear God’s gentle whisper in our busy lives?

We can hear God’s gentle whisper by finding moments of silence and prayer. Taking time away from distractions helps us listen to God.

What does Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teach us about making sacrifices?

Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teaches us that making sacrifices is necessary to avoid sin. Jesus calls us to be willing to give up things that lead us away from God.

How can we apply the lessons from Elijah’s story to our own lives?

We can apply Elijah’s story by trusting in God’s guidance and obeying His commands. Even when we feel alone or afraid, God is with us and will guide us.

Why is it important to avoid sin even in our thoughts?

Avoiding sin in our thoughts is important because our thoughts can lead to actions. Keeping our minds pure helps us live a holy life.

What is the main message of the readings for Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The main message is to listen to God’s voice, obey His commands, and live pure and faithful lives. These teachings help us grow closer to God and follow His will.