Daily Readings - Wed Jun 14 2023
2 Corinthians
4And we have such faith, through Christ, toward God5It is not that we are adequate to think anything of ourselves, as if anything was from us. But our adequacy is from God6And he has made us suitable ministers of the New Testament, not in the letter, but in the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life7But if the ministration of death, engraved with letters upon stones, was in glory, (so much so that the sons of Israel were not able to gaze intently upon the face of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance) even though this ministration was ineffective8how could the ministration of the Spirit not be in greater glory9For if the ministration of condemnation is with glory, so much more is the ministration of justice abundant in glory10And neither was it glorified by means of an excellent glory, though it was made illustrious in its own way11For if even what was temporary has its glory, then what is lasting has an even greater glory
Matthew
17Do not think that I have come to loosen the law or the prophets. I have not come to loosen, but to fulfill18Amen I say to you, certainly, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not one dot shall pass away from the law, until all is done19Therefore, whoever will have loosened one of the least of these commandments, and have taught men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever will have done and taught these, such a one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the transition from the old covenant to the new, highlighting the role of the Spirit and the fulfillment of the law. The first reading from 2 Corinthians emphasizes that our adequacy comes from God, contrasting the old covenant's ministration of death with the new covenant's life-giving Spirit. Paul underscores the temporary glory of the old covenant, which pales in comparison to the lasting glory of the new, brought by the Spirit.
The Gospel from Matthew finds Jesus affirming the enduring importance of the law, clarifying that He did not come to abolish it but to fulfill it. He warns against loosening even the smallest commandment, stressing the significance of adhering to and teaching the law. This passage, part of the Sermon on the Mount, illustrates Jesus' role in bringing the law to its fullness, rooted in love and mercy.
Both readings converge on the theme of fulfillment and transformation. The new covenant, through the Spirit, doesn't discard the old but elevates it, much like Jesus fulfills the law by living it out in love. This invites us to trust in God's grace and live guided by the Spirit, understanding that our actions and teachings should reflect this fulfilled law. In daily life, this means embodying love and mercy, recognizing that our strength and guidance come from God. Let us embrace this transformation, living as ministers of the new covenant, where the Spirit leads us to greatness in the kingdom of heaven.