Daily Reading for Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Reading 1, Sirach 48:1-14

¹ Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch.

² It was he who brought famine on them and decimated them in his zeal.

³ By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, three times also he brought down fire.

⁴ How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah! Has anyone reason to boast as you have? -

⁵ rousing a corpse from death, from Sheol, by the word of the Most High;

⁶ dragging kings down to destruction, and high dignitaries from their beds;

⁷ hearing a rebuke on Sinai and decrees of punishment on Horeb;

⁸ anointing kings as avengers, and prophets to succeed you;

⁹ taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses;

¹⁰ designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God's wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

¹¹ Blessed, those who will see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love; for we too shall certainly have life.

¹² Such was Elijah, who was enveloped in a whirlwind; and Elisha was filled with his spirit; throughout his life no ruler could shake him, and no one could subdue him.

¹³ No task was too hard for him, and even in death his body prophesied.

¹⁴ In his lifetime he performed wonders, and in death his works were marvellous.

Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 97:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7

¹ Yahweh is king! Let earth rejoice, the many isles be glad!

² Cloud, black cloud enfolds him, saving justice and judgement the foundations of his throne.

³ Fire goes before him, sets ablaze his enemies all around;

⁴ his lightning-flashes light up the world, the earth sees it and quakes.

⁵ The mountains melt like wax, before the Lord of all the earth.

⁶ The heavens proclaim his saving justice, all nations see his glory.

⁷ Shame on all who serve images, who pride themselves on their idols; bow down to him, all you gods!