06/17/2026
Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection June 17, 2026π
Wednesday β 11th Week in Ordinary Time
17th June 2026 (Wednesday)
Here are the Catholic Mass readings and a daily reflection for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, an ordinary weekday. Today Elijah hands his mantle to Elisha, while the Gospel warns us to do our giving, praying, and fasting for God alone, not for an audien
Readings of the Day
First Reading: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. [They came to Jerico, and] Elijah said to Elisha, βPlease stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.β But he said, βAs the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.β So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, βAsk what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.β And Elisha said, βPlease let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.β And he said, βYou have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.β And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, βMy father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!β And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, βWhere is the Lord, the God of Elijah?β And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.
Psalm 31:20, 21, 24 (R. 25)
R/. Be strong, let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, βBeware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. βThus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. βAnd when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. βAnd when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.