Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 18, 2021
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 11.18, 21b-30
18Since so many glory according to the flesh, I will glory also21I speak according to disgrace, as if we had been weak in this regard. In this matter, (I speak in foolishness) if anyone dares, I dare also22They are Hebrews; so am I. They are Israelites; so am I. They are the offspring of Abraham; so am I23They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as if I were less wise); more so am I: with many more labors, with numerous imprisonments, with wounds beyond measure, with frequent mortifications24On five occasions, I received forty stripes, less one, from the Jews25Three times, I was beaten with rods. One time, I was stoned. Three times, I was shipwrecked. For a night and a day, I was in the depths of the sea26I have made frequent journeys, through dangerous waters, in danger of robbers, in danger from my own nation, in danger from the Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger in the sea, in danger from false brothers27with hardships and difficulties, with much vigilance, in hunger and thirst, with frequent fasts, in cold and nakedness28and, in addition to these things, which are external: there is my daily earnestness and solicitude for all the churches29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not being burned30If it is necessary to glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weaknesses
Psalm 34
1To David, when he changed his appearance in the sight of Abimelech, and so he dismissed him, and he went away. I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will be ever in my mouth2In the Lord, my soul will be praised. May the meek listen and rejoice3Magnify the Lord with me, and let us extol his name in itself4I sought the Lord, and he heeded me, and he carried me away from all my tribulations5Approach him and be enlightened, and your faces will not be confounded6This poor one cried out, and the Lord heeded him, and he saved him from all his tribulations7The Angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear him, and he will rescue them8Taste and see that the Lord is sweet. Blessed is the man who hopes in him9Fear the Lord, all you his saints. For there is no destitution for those who fear him10The rich have been needy and hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not be deprived of any good thing11Come forward, sons. Listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord12Which is the man who wills life, who chooses to see good days13Prohibit your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit14Turn away from evil, and do good. Inquire about peace, and pursue it15The eyes of the Lord are on the just, and his ears are with their prayers16But the countenance of the Lord is upon those who do evil, to perish the remembrance of them from the earth17The just cried out, and the Lord heard them, and he freed them from all their tribulations18The Lord is near to those who are troubled in heart, and he will save the humble in spirit19Many are the afflictions of the just, but from them all the Lord will free them20The Lord preserves all of their bones, not one of them shall be broken21The death of a sinner is very harmful, and those who hate the just will fare badly22The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants, and none of those who hope in him will fare badly
Gospel: Matthew 6.19-23
19Do not choose to store up for yourselves treasures on earth: where rust and moth consume, and where thieves break in and steal20Instead, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither rust nor moth consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal21For where your treasure is, there also is your heart22The lamp of your body is your eye. If your eye is wholesome, your entire body will be filled with light23But if your eye has been corrupted, your entire body will be darkened. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great will that darkness be
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of true wealth and the enduring power of faith amidst suffering. The First Reading from 2 Corinthians presents St. Paul’s passionate defense of his apostleship, where he catalogues his countless trials—imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and endless labors. Yet, far from complaining, Paul sees these sufferings as a badge of honor, for they testify to his unwavering commitment to Christ and the churches he serves. His boast is not in his strength but in his weakness, through which the power of God shines forth. This passage reminds us that our worth is not measured by worldly standards of success or comfort but by our fidelity to the Gospel, even when it demands sacrifice.
The Gospel from Matthew 6 offers a complementary message. Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth, where they can be corrupted or stolen, and instead encourages us to accumulate treasures in heaven. He links this to the state of our hearts, emphasizing that our true treasure is what draws our heart’s desire. The image of the eye as the lamp of the body underscores the importance of purity of intention and focus. If our gaze is fixed on earthly riches or fleeting pleasures, our inner light grows dim. But if our hearts are set on heavenly things, our entire being is illuminated with the light of Christ. Together, these readings challenge us to reevaluate our priorities and to seek a life of detachment from materialism and attachment to eternal values.
As we apply these teachings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Where am I investing my time, energy, and resources? Am I building up treasures that will endure beyond this life, or am I chasing after things that will ultimately perish? St. Paul’s example calls us to embrace the sacrifices that come with following Christ, trusting that they will bear fruit in ways we may not even see. Jesus’ words remind us to keep our hearts pure and our vision clear, so that we may live as children of light in a world often consumed by darkness. May we strive to live with simplicity, generosity, and a deep trust in God’s providence, storing up treasures in heaven where no thief can steal and no moth can corrupt.