Daily Readings - Sat Jun 17 2017

First Reading - 2 Corinthians 5.14-21

¹⁴For the charity of Christ urges us on, in consideration of this: that if one died for all, then all have died¹⁵And Christ died for all, so that even those who live might not now live for themselves, but for him who died for them and who rose again¹⁶And so, from now on, we know no one according to the flesh. And though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him in this way no longer¹⁷So if anyone is a new creature in Christ, what is old has passed away. Behold, all things have been made new¹⁸But all is of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation¹⁹For certainly God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging them with their sins. And he has placed in us the Word of reconciliation²⁰Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, so that God is exhorting through us. We beseech you for Christ: be reconciled to God²¹For God made him who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the justice of God in him

Gospel - Matthew 5.33-37

Matthew

Chapter 5

³³Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord.³⁴But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God³⁵nor by earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king³⁶Neither shall you swear an oath by your own head, because you are not able to cause one hair to become white or black³⁷But let your word ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For anything beyond that is of evil

Sermon

In today’s readings, we reflect on themes of reconciliation and authenticity. The Second Reading from 2 Corinthians emphasizes our new life in Christ, urging us to be ambassadors of reconciliation. Paul writes that through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are made new, called to live not for ourselves but for Him. This transformation is a gift from God, enabling us to see others through the lens of grace and mercy. In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus teaches about the simplicity of truth, instructing us to let our words be truthful without the need for oaths. He warns that anything beyond a simple “yes” or “no” comes from evil, highlighting the importance of integrity in our speech. These readings, though from different contexts, are deeply connected. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was written to a community grappling with division, urging them to embrace their reconciled state in Christ. Similarly, Matthew’s Gospel excerpt is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus challenges his followers to live authentically. Together, they call us to a life transformed by Christ, where our actions and words reflect His presence within us. The connection lies in the call to authenticity and reconciliation, reminding us that our faith should permeate every aspect of our lives. Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to be peacemakers and truth-tellers. As reconcilers, we should seek to heal divisions in our communities and families. In our interactions, let us strive to be people of our word, demonstrating integrity in all we say and do. This not only builds trust but also reflects the character of Christ. The moral lesson here is profound: our new life in Christ compels us to live with authenticity and compassion. May we embrace this call, allowing the love of Christ to transform us and shine through us, inspiring others to seek reconciliation and truth.