Daily Readings - Fri Aug 10 2018
2 Corinthians
6But I say this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. And whoever sows with blessings shall also reap from blessings7each one giving, just as he has determined in his heart, neither out of sadness, nor out of obligation. For God loves a cheerful giver8And God is able to make every grace abound in you, so that, always having what you need in all things, you may abound unto every good work9just as it was written: "He has distributed widely, he has given to the poor; his justice remains from age to age.10And he who ministers seed to the sower will offer you bread to eat, and will multiply your seed, and will increase the growth of the fruits of your justice
John
24Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies25it remains alone. But if it dies, it yields much fruit. Whoever loves his life, will lose it. And whoever hates his life in this world, preserves it unto eternal life26If anyone serves me, let him follow me. And where I am, there too my minister shall be. If anyone has served me, my Father will honor him
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of generosity, sacrifice, and the transformative power of self-giving love. The Second Reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that our actions have consequences: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows with blessings shall also reap from blessings.” Paul emphasizes that true giving is not about obligation or sadness but about cheerful generosity. This passage is part of Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthians to contribute to the collection for the Jerusalem church, teaching them that God’s grace multiplies our efforts when we give with joy and trust in His providence.
The Gospel from John takes us deeper into the mystery of sacrifice. Jesus says, “Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it yields much fruit.” These words, spoken in the context of His own approaching death, reveal the paradox of Christian life: to gain eternal life, we must let go of our attachment to this world. Jesus is not calling us to hatred of life but to a willingness to surrender our selfish desires for the sake of love. This is the path to true fruitfulness.
Together, these readings remind us that Christian life is rooted in both generosity and sacrifice. Paul calls us to open our hearts and resources to others, trusting that God will abundantly provide for our needs. Jesus invites us to embrace the mystery of self-giving love, knowing that true life comes from surrendering ourselves for the sake of others. In our daily lives, this means being willing to step out of our comfort zones, to share what we have, and to love without counting the cost. Let us ask for the grace to live this way, trusting that our acts of love and sacrifice will bear fruit far beyond what we can imagine.