Thursday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time
Liturgical Colour: Green | Year A(II)
First Reading
Ecclesiasticus 48:1-15
The spirit of Elijah fills Elisha
The prophet Elijah arose like a fire,
his word flaring like a torch.
It was he who brought famine on the people,
and who decimated them in his zeal.
By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens,
and three times brought down fire.
How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah!
Has anyone reason to boast as you have?
Rousing a corpse from death,
from Sheol by the word of the Most High;
dragging kings down to destruction,
and high dignitaries from their beds;
hearing reproof on Sinai,
and decrees of punishment on Horeb;
anointing kings as avengers,
and prophets to succeed you;
taken up in the whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses;
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.
Happy shall they be who see you,
and those who have fallen asleep in love;
for we too will have life.
Elijah was shrouded in the whirlwind,
and Elisha was filled with his spirit.
Throughout his life no ruler could shake him,
and no one could subdue him.
No task was too hard for him,
and even in death his body prophesied.
In his lifetime he performed wonders,
and in death his works were marvellous.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 96(97):1-7
Response:
Let the just rejoice in the Lord.
The Lord is king, let earth rejoice,
let all the coastlands be glad.
Cloud and darkness are his raiment;
his throne, justice and right.
Let the just rejoice in the Lord.
A fire prepares his path;
it burns up his foes on every side.
His lightnings light up the world,
the earth trembles at the sight.
Let the just rejoice in the Lord.
The mountains melt like wax
before the Lord of all the earth.
The skies proclaim his justice;
all peoples see his glory.
Let the just rejoice in the Lord.
Let those who serve idols be ashamed,
those who boast of their worthless gods.
All you spirits, worship him.
Let the just rejoice in the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
You have received the Spirit which makes us God's children,
and in that Spirit we call God our Father.
Alleluia!
Gospel
Matthew 6:7-15
How to pray
Jesus said to his disciples:
"In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard."
"Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
"So you should pray like this:"
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test,
but save us from the evil one.
Jesus continued:
"If you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours."
"But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either."
Reflection
Today's readings place before us two great gifts from God:
the gift of faithful witnesses and the gift of prayer.
The First Reading honours the prophet Elijah, one of the greatest figures in the Old Testament. His life was marked by courage, miracles, and unwavering fidelity to the Lord. Yet the reading is not merely a tribute to Elijah's achievements.
It also highlights something deeper.
God's work continues.
When Elijah is taken into heaven, Elisha receives his spirit and continues the mission entrusted to him.
This is a recurring pattern throughout salvation history.
God raises up faithful servants.
They fulfil their mission.
Then He raises up others.
The mission belongs to God, not to any individual.
The Gospel turns our attention to the interior life.
Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray.
The Lord's Prayer is not simply a prayer to memorise.
It is a summary of the entire Christian life.
The Catechism describes the Our Father as "the summary of the whole Gospel" (CCC 2761).
Every petition teaches us something essential.
We begin by recognising God as Father.
We seek His kingdom before our own desires.
We ask for daily bread rather than future abundance.
We seek forgiveness.
And we commit ourselves to forgiving others.
It is no accident that forgiveness receives special emphasis.
After teaching the Our Father, Jesus immediately returns to this subject.
Why?
Because forgiveness reveals whether we truly understand God's mercy.
Those who know they have been forgiven much are called to forgive much.
The Christian who prays sincerely cannot remain hardened in resentment forever.
Prayer softens the heart.
Prayer changes perspective.
Prayer reminds us that we stand before God as recipients of grace.
Elijah's greatness came from his faithfulness to God.
The disciple's greatness comes from remaining close to God in prayer.
The two readings meet in this truth:
God accomplishes His work through those who remain faithful to Him.
Whether through prophetic courage or hidden prayer, the Lord continues to transform the world through hearts surrendered to His will.
One Line to Carry Today
The heart that truly prays learns to forgive.
Catechism References
CCC 2759-2865 – The Lord's Prayer.
CCC 2761 – The Our Father as the summary of the Gospel.
CCC 2840-2845 – Forgiveness and Christian discipleship.
CCC 2564 – Prayer comes from the heart.
CCC 2683-2684 – The witness of the saints and prophets.
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