Gospel of 21 June 2018

Thursday of the XNUMXth week of Ordinary Time

Book of the Ecclesiastical 48,1-14.
In those days arose Elijah the prophet, like fire; his word burned like a torch.
He brought famine upon them and zealously reduced them to a few.
By command of the Lord he closed the sky, so he brought down the fire three times.
How famous you were, Elijah, with the wonders! And who can boast of being equal to you?
You awoke a deceased from death and the underworld, by command of the Most High;
you who pushed kings to ruin, glorious men from their bed.
You heard reproaches on Sinai, revenge sentences on Horeb.
You anoint kings as vindices and prophets as your successors.
You were hired in a whirlwind of fire on a chariot of fiery horses,
designated to rebuke future times to appease anger before it flares up, to bring the hearts of fathers back to their children and restore the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed are those who saw you and who fell asleep in love! Because we too will certainly live.
As soon as Elijah was enveloped by the whirlwind, Elisha was full of his spirit; during his life he did not tremble before the powerful and nobody managed to dominate him.
Nothing was too big for him; in the sepulcher his body prophesied.
In his life he performed wonders and after his death his works were marvelous.

Salmi 97(96),1-2.3-4.5-6.7.
The Lord reigns, exult the earth,
all the islands rejoice.
Clouds and darkness envelop him
justice and law are the basis of his throne.

In front of him the fire walks
and burn his enemies all around.
Its thunderbolts illuminate the world:
sees and winces the earth.

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens herald his justice
and all peoples contemplate his glory.

All statue worshipers are confused
and those who boast of their idols.
Let all the gods bow down to him!

From the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew 6,7-15.
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: «By praying, do not waste words like pagans, who believe they are being listened to by words.
So do not be like them, because your Father knows what things you need even before you ask him.
You therefore pray thus: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name;
Come your kingdom; your will be done, as in heaven so on earth.
Give us today our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors,
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For if you forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;
but if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your sins. "