Daily Readings - Wed Jun 21 2023
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
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and the sincerity of our actions. The second reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that our generosity should be cheerful and selfless, trusting in God's abundance. The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to examine our motivations, warning against performing good deeds for human recognition rather than genuine devotion. Jesus emphasizes that true righteousness is done in secret, where only God sees, promising that our Father will reward such sincerity.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian communities. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, encourages generosity and trust in God's providence, while Matthew's Gospel presents Jesus teaching on true piety. Both readings highlight the importance of humility and sincerity in our spiritual lives, contrasting genuine faith with hypocritical displays of righteousness.
In our daily lives, these teachings call us to reflect on our intentions. Do we perform good deeds to be seen, or do we act out of love for God and neighbor? Let us cultivate a humble and sincere heart, trusting that our true reward comes from God. By doing so, we align our actions with His will, living a life that truly honors Him.