Daily Readings - Mon Aug 10 2020
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 and self-giving love. The second reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that our generosity is not just about what we give, but the spirit in which we give. Paul encourages us to give cheerfully, trusting that God will provide us with everything we need to live abundantly and to do good works. This passage is set in the context of the early Christian community, where believers were called to support one another, especially those in need. The act of giving is portrayed as an act of grace, where both the giver and the receiver are blessed.
The Gospel reading from John takes this idea of giving to a deeper level. Jesus uses the metaphor of the grain of wheat that must fall to the ground and die in order to bear fruit. This is a powerful image of self-sacrifice and the transformative power of love. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his own death and resurrection, teaching them that true life comes through surrender and service. The passage is set in the context of Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem, where he will ultimately lay down his life for the sake of the world. For us, this means that our lives are not our own, but are meant to be lived in service to others.
These readings are deeply connected. Both invite us to let go of our attachment to material possessions and even to our own lives, trusting that in doing so, we will find true life and fruitfulness. In our daily lives, this might mean being more generous with our resources, our time, and our talents. It might also mean embracing the sacrifices that come with loving and serving others. The moral lesson here is clear: true life is not found in hoarding or self-preservation, but in giving ourselves away in love. As we strive to live this out, we can take comfort in the promise that God will multiply our efforts and bring forth abundant fruit.