Daily Readings - Wed Jun 12 2019
2 Corinthians
4And we have such faith, through Christ, toward God5It is not that we are adequate to think anything of ourselves, as if anything was from us. But our adequacy is from God6And he has made us suitable ministers of the New Testament, not in the letter, but in the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life7But if the ministration of death, engraved with letters upon stones, was in glory, (so much so that the sons of Israel were not able to gaze intently upon the face of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance) even though this ministration was ineffective8how could the ministration of the Spirit not be in greater glory9For if the ministration of condemnation is with glory, so much more is the ministration of justice abundant in glory10And neither was it glorified by means of an excellent glory, though it was made illustrious in its own way11For if even what was temporary has its glory, then what is lasting has an even greater glory
Matthew
17Do not think that I have come to loosen the law or the prophets. I have not come to loosen, but to fulfill18Amen I say to you, certainly, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not one dot shall pass away from the law, until all is done19Therefore, whoever will have loosened one of the least of these commandments, and have taught men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever will have done and taught these, such a one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the relationship between the law, the Spirit, and our Christian calling. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that our sufficiency comes not from ourselves but from God. Paul contrasts the “letter” of the law, which brings death, with the “Spirit,” which gives life. He emphasizes that the New Covenant, sealed in Christ, is far more glorious than the Old Covenant, which was engraved on stones. The Gospel from Matthew complements this by having Jesus affirm that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He stresses that every detail of the law remains in force until all is accomplished, and warns that loosening even the smallest commandment diminishes our place in the kingdom of heaven.
The context of these readings is crucial. In 2 Corinthians, Paul is defending his ministry against those who judge by outward appearances. He insists that true ministry is not about human adequacy but about the power of the Spirit. In Matthew, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and others who were focused on external observance of the law. He calls for a deeper understanding and living of the law, rooted in love and integrity. Together, these readings remind us that while the law is important, it is the Spirit that brings it to life. The law is not an end in itself but a means to guide us toward a life of love, justice, and holiness.
How do these readings apply to our daily lives? They call us to move beyond a superficial observance of rules and regulations. True faith is not about checking boxes or comparing ourselves to others; it is about living in the Spirit and allowing God’s grace to transform us. Jesus’ words remind us that even the smallest acts of faithfulness matter. In a world that often values the big and the dramatic, we are called to be faithful in the little things, trusting that these small acts of love and obedience will have a lasting impact. Let us ask ourselves: Am I living by the Spirit, or am I stuck in the letter of the law? Am I striving to fulfill the law in love, or am I tempted to loosen its demands? May we embrace the glorious freedom of the New Covenant, living as ministers of the Spirit, and may our lives reflect the greatness that comes from doing and teaching God’s will.