Daily Readings - Fri Jun 23 2023
2 Corinthians
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
Matthew
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 reminded of the challenges of living a life of faith and the importance of keeping our focus on what truly matters. The first reading from 2 Corinthians finds St. Paul defending his apostleship and recounting the many trials he has endured for the sake of the Gospel. He lists his sufferings—imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and countless dangers—to emphasize his unwavering commitment to Christ and the churches he serves. Paul’s words are not about boasting but about showing that his life is entirely dedicated to God, even in the face of immense hardship.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the dangers of earthly treasures and the importance of keeping our hearts focused on heaven. He warns that where our treasure is, there our heart will be. Jesus also uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body, reminding us that our spiritual vision determines the state of our soul. If our vision is corrupted by worldly desires, our entire being becomes darkened. These teachings call us to evaluate our priorities and ensure that our hearts are not consumed by materialism or fleeting comforts.
The readings today challenge us to reflect on our own lives. Are we allowing the trials and distractions of the world to pull us away from God? Like St. Paul, we are called to perseverance and faithfulness, even when the path is difficult. And like Jesus’ teachings, we must ask ourselves: Where is our treasure? Is it in the things of this world, or is it in the eternal life God promises? Let us strive to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, the true light, and our hearts rooted in the treasures that will last forever. In doing so, we will find the strength to endure life’s challenges and the clarity to live with purpose.