Daily Readings - Thu Jun 10 2021
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 grace and the call to live with integrity and compassion. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks about the veil that covers the hearts of those who do not see the truth of the Gospel. He reminds us that true freedom and transformation come from the Spirit of the Lord, who enlightens our minds and hearts to see the glory of God in the face of Christ. Paul emphasizes that our ministry is not about ourselves but about proclaiming Jesus Christ, and that the light of God’s truth shines in us despite the darkness of this world.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to go beyond the external observance of the law and to live with a deeper righteousness. He warns us against the destructive power of anger and insults, teaching that our relationship with others is just as important as our relationship with God. Jesus urges us to seek reconciliation quickly, even before offering worship, because unresolved conflicts can lead to spiritual harm. This teaching reminds us that our faith must be lived out in love and humility, not just in words or rituals.
These readings are connected by the theme of transformation and authenticity. In 2 Corinthians, the Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ, while in Matthew, Jesus calls us to transform our hearts by living out the Gospel in our relationships. Both readings remind us that our faith is not just about what we believe but about how we live. In our daily lives, we are called to let the Spirit of God shine through us, to seek reconciliation when we have wronged others, and to live with integrity and compassion. Let us ask for the grace to allow God’s light to penetrate our hearts and to live in a way that reflects the love and truth of Christ.