Daily Readings - Fri Jun 14 2019
2 Corinthians
7But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, so that what is sublime may be of the power of God, and not of us8In all things, we endure tribulation, yet we are not in anguish. We are constrained, yet we are not destitute9We suffer persecution, yet we have not been abandoned. We are thrown down, yet we do not perish10We ever carry around the mortification of Jesus in our bodies, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies11For we who live are ever handed over unto death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh12Therefore, death is at work in us, and life is at work in you13But we have the same Spirit of faith. And just as it is written, "I believed, and for that reason I spoke," so we also believe, and for that reason, we also speak14For we know that the One who raised up Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and will place us with you15Thus, all is for you, so that grace, abounding through many in thanksgiving, may abound to the glory of God
Matthew
27You have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not commit adultery.28But I say to you, that anyone who will have looked at a woman, so as to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart29And if your right eye causes you to sin, root it out and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body be cast into Hell30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body go into Hell31And it has been said: ‘Whoever would dismiss his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.32But I say to you, that anyone who will have dismissed his wife, except in the case of fornication, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever will have married her who has been dismissed commits adultery
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, suffering, and the deeper implications of God’s law. In 2 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that our bodies are but fragile vessels holding a divine treasure. He speaks of enduring trials and tribulations, not with despair, but with hope, knowing that our suffering is a participation in Christ’s own death and resurrection. This hope is rooted in faith, as Paul emphasizes, quoting the psalmist: “I believed, and so I spoke.” This faith is not passive but active, compelling us to speak and act in a way that manifests the life of Jesus in our mortal flesh.
In the Gospel, Jesus takes us deeper into the heart of the law. He teaches that adultery is not just a physical act but also a matter of the heart. Looking at someone with lust is already adultery in God’s eyes. Similarly, He speaks about divorce, emphasizing the seriousness of such an act and its consequences. Jesus is not just interpreting the law; He is calling us to a higher standard of integrity and purity. This is not about legalism but about the transformation of the heart. Just as Paul speaks of carrying the death of Jesus in our bodies, Jesus here calls us to “cut off” whatever leads us to sin, even if it is as dear as a hand or an eye. This is radical, but it is the call to holiness.
These readings challenge us to examine our lives. Are we enduring trials with faith, trusting that God’s power shines through our weakness? Are we living with integrity, not just outwardly but inwardly? The moral lesson is clear: true Christianity is not about outward appearances but about the condition of the heart. It is about living in such a way that the life of Jesus is manifested in us, even in the midst of suffering. Let us ask for the grace to embrace this call to holiness, to trust in God’s power, and to live with hearts pure and true.