Daily Readings - Thu Jun 15 2023
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
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the transformative power of the Spirit and the call to live a life of love and reconciliation. The second reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that when we turn to the Lord, the veil is lifted, and the Spirit brings us freedom and illumination. This freedom is not just a release from bondage but an invitation to be transformed by the glory of God in Christ. The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to move beyond mere obedience to the law and to embrace a deeper righteousness. Jesus teaches that anger and harsh words can lead to judgment, urging us to reconcile with others before offering worship and to settle disputes quickly to avoid spiritual harm.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian communities. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, contrasts the old covenant with the new one in Christ, emphasizing the Spirit's role in revealing God's splendor. In Matthew, Jesus expands the understanding of the law, shifting focus from external actions to the heart's intentions. Both readings highlight the importance of living in the Spirit and embracing a life of love and mercy.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded to seek the Spirit's guidance, allowing it to transform us. We are called to look beyond the surface and to live with hearts open to God's will. The moral lesson here is clear: reconciliation and forgiveness are essential. Let us not let anger fester but instead seek to resolve conflicts with love. May we embrace the freedom and light of the Spirit, living as children of God, transformed by His glory and committed to a life of mercy and peace.