Daily Readings - Mon Jun 07 2021
2 Corinthians
1Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy, a brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all of Achaia2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation4He consoles us in all our tribulation, so that we too may be able to console those who are in any kind of distress, through the exhortation by which we also are being exhorted by God5For just as the Passion of Christ abounds in us, so also, through Christ, does our consolation abound6So, if we are in tribulation, it is for your exhortation and salvation, or if we are in consolation, it is for your consolation, or if we are exhorted, it is for your exhortation and salvation, which results in the patient endurance of the same passion which we also endure7So may our hope for you be made firm, knowing that, just as you are participants in the suffering, so also shall you be participants in the consolation
Matthew
1Then, seeing the crowds, he ascended the mountain, and when he had sat down, his disciples drew near to him2and opening his mouth, he taught them, saying3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven4Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth5Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be consoled6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God10Blessed are those who endure persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven11Blessed are you when they have slandered you, and persecuted you, and spoken all kinds of evil against you, falsely, for my sake12be glad and exult, for your reward in heaven is plentiful. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear powerful messages about suffering, consolation, and the qualities of a faithful life. In the Second Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes about the connection between suffering and consolation. He explains that just as Christ's sufferings bring us consolation, so too can our own trials become a source of comfort for others. This is a profound reminder that our struggles are not isolated but are part of a larger community of faith where we can support and uplift one another.
In the Gospel, Jesus delivers the Beatitudes, a series of blessings that outline the qualities of those who are truly His followers. He blesses the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, and those who endure persecution for the sake of justice. These Beatitudes challenge us to live in a way that reflects the kingdom of God, even in the midst of a world that often values power, wealth, and status. Jesus is not promising us ease or comfort in this life but is calling us to live with integrity, compassion, and hope.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Paul and Jesus are teaching us about the transformative power of suffering and the importance of living a life of faith and virtue. Paul shows us that our struggles can be a source of grace for others, while Jesus calls us to embody the qualities of the kingdom of God, even when it is difficult. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace both the challenges and the blessings that come from following Christ. Let us strive to be people of mercy, peace, and hope, knowing that our trials can lead to consolation and that our lives can reflect the kingdom of God. May we find strength in our faith and may we be instruments of God's grace in the world.