Daily Mass Readings – Saturday, 17 June 2028

19 And Elias departing from thence, found Eliseus the son of Saphat, ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen: and he was one of them that were ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen: and when Elias came up to him, he cast his mantle upon him.

20 And he forthwith left the oxen and ran after Elias, and said: Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said to him: Go, and return back: for that which was my part, I have done to thee.

21 And returning back from him, he took a yoke of oxen, and killed them, and boiled the flesh with the plough of the oxen, and gave to the people, and they ate: and rising up he went away, and followed Elias, and ministered to him.

R. (5a) You are my inheritance, O Lord.

1b Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put trust in thee.

2a I have said to the Lord, thou art my God.

5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding: moreover my reins also have corrected me even till night.

8 I set the Lord always in my sight: for he is at my right hand, that I be not moved.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

9 Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; nor wilt then give thy holy one to see corruption.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

36a, 29b Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees; and favor me with your law.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

33 Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, Thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord.

34 But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God:

35 Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king:

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.

Eliseus responds to God’s call with a clear decision. He leaves behind the work that defined his former life, shares the oxen with the people, and follows Elias. His action expresses what the psalm proclaims: “You are my inheritance, O Lord.” God is not one possession among many; he becomes the secure portion around which everything else is ordered.

Jesus brings this same undivided belonging into our daily speech. His disciples should not need elaborate oaths to make their words believable. “Yes” should mean yes, and “no” should mean no. Such simplicity is more than a rule about conversation. It reveals a heart that does not need to manipulate, exaggerate, or hide behind impressive promises. When our lives are rooted in God, truth can be spoken plainly, and our commitments can become dependable. The Alleluia prayer asks God to incline our hearts to his ways; that grace helps us follow with the decisiveness of Eliseus and speak with the integrity Jesus desires. We can begin by making one promise today that we will keep quietly and faithfully, trusting that the Lord himself is our inheritance.

Lord God, you are my inheritance and the firm ground beneath my life. Incline my heart to your ways, so that I may recognize your call and follow you with a willing spirit. Free me from divided loyalties, empty promises, and words that conceal the truth. Give me the courage to speak simply, honestly, and with charity. Make my commitments faithful, especially when no one praises or notices them. Keep me close at your right hand, so that my heart may remain steady and my life may give quiet witness to your goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.