Daily Readings - Thu Jun 13 2019
2 Corinthians
15But even until today, when Moses is read, a veil is still set over their hearts16But when they will have been converted to the Lord, then the veil shall be taken away17Now the Spirit is Lord. And wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty18Yet truly, all of us, as we gaze upon the unveiled glory of the face of the Lord, are transfigured into the same image, from one glory to another. And this is done by the Spirit of the Lord
1Therefore, since we have this ministry, and in as much as we have obtained mercy for ourselves, we are not inadequate3But if our Gospel is in some way hidden, it is hidden to those who are perishing4As for them, the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, would not shine in them5For we are not preaching about ourselves, but about Jesus Christ our Lord. We are merely your servants through Jesus6For God, who told the light to shine out of darkness, has shined a light into our hearts, to illuminate the knowledge of the splendor of God, in the person of Christ Jesus
Matthew
20For I say to you, that unless your justice has surpassed that of the scribes and the Pharisees you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven21You have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not murder; whoever will have murdered shall be liable to judgment.22But I say to you, that anyone who becomes angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment. But whoever will have called his brother, ‘Idiot,’ shall be liable to the council. Then, whoever will have called him, ‘Worthless,’ shall be liable to the fires of Hell23Therefore, if you offer your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you24leave your gift there, before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to your brother, and then you may approach and offer your gift25Be reconciled with your adversary quickly, while you are still on the way with him, lest perhaps the adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you will be thrown in prison26Amen I say to you, that you shall not go forth from there, until you have repaid the last quarter
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of God’s Spirit and the call to live out our faith in love and reconciliation. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the veil that once covered the hearts of God’s people, a veil that is lifted when we turn to the Lord. He reminds us that the Spirit of the Lord brings freedom and transfigures us into the image of Christ. This transformation is not just an inward reality but also a call to mission. Paul emphasizes that we are servants of the Gospel, entrusted with the ministry of illuminating the splendor of God in the face of Christ Jesus. The light of the Gospel, however, can be obscured for those who are perishing, and it is our responsibility to live in such a way that this light shines through us.
In the Gospel, Matthew 5:20-26, Jesus teaches us that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. He deepens the commandment against murder by condemning anger and hurtful speech. Jesus makes it clear that our relationship with God is inseparable from our relationships with one another. If we remember that our brother or sister has something against us while we are offering our gift at the altar, we must first seek reconciliation. This teaching underscores the importance of living in love and harmony with others. Jesus warns us to reconcile quickly with our adversaries, lest we face the consequences of unresolved conflict. This is not just a practical advice but a spiritual imperative: our worship and our witness are hollow if we do not live in peace with one another.
These readings remind us that our faith is not merely a set of beliefs but a way of life. The Spirit of the Lord transforms us, but this transformation must bear fruit in our actions. We are called to be light in a world that often prefers darkness, and this light is most visible when we love and forgive as Christ has loved and forgiven us. Let us ask ourselves: Are there relationships in my life that need healing? Am I allowing the Spirit to shine through me in my interactions with others? May we seek reconciliation where there is division and may we reflect the splendor of God in all that we do.