Daily Readings - Wed Jun 16 2021
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 justice11So then, having been enriched in all things, you may abound in all simplicity, which works thanksgiving to God through us
Matthew
1"Pay attention, lest you perform your justice before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you shall not have a reward with your Father, who is in heaven2Therefore, when you give alms, do not choose to sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the towns, so that they may be honored by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing4so that your almsgiving may be in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you5And when you pray, you should not be like the hypocrites, who love standing in the synagogues and at the corners of the streets to pray, so that they may be seen by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward6But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and having shut the door, pray to your Father in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you16And when you fast, do not choose to become gloomy, like the hypocrites. For they alter their faces, so that their fasting may be apparent to men. Amen I say to you, that they have received their reward17But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face18so that your fasting will not be apparent to men, but to your Father, who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true spirituality and the importance of living our faith with sincerity and generosity. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul emphasizes the value of cheerful and generous giving. He reminds us that God blesses those who give with joy and trust in His providence, promising that He will provide abundantly for those who act with such faith. This passage encourages us to approach giving—not just of material resources, but also of our time, talents, and love—with openness and gratitude, knowing that God will multiply the fruits of our efforts.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the proper way to live out our faith in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. He warns against performing these acts of piety for the sake of human recognition, as the hypocrites do. Instead, He calls us to do these things in secret, with humility and sincerity, so that our actions are seen by God alone. Jesus emphasizes that true reward comes from God, who sees what is done in secret and will repay it abundantly. This teaching challenges us to examine our motives and to ensure that our spiritual practices are rooted in a genuine relationship with God, rather than a desire for human approval.
These readings remind us that our faith is not about outward appearances but about the condition of our hearts. Whether we give, pray, or fast, the key is to do so with authenticity and trust in God’s love. Let us strive to live our faith in a way that is humble, generous, and deeply personal, knowing that God sees and rewards the sincerity of our actions. By doing so, we not only grow closer to Him but also become instruments of His grace in the lives of others.