Daily Readings - Thu Jun 12 2025
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 encounter powerful truths about the transformative power of God’s Spirit and the call to live a life of radical love and reconciliation. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that the Spirit of the Lord brings liberty and transfigures us into the image of Christ. St. Paul contrasts the veil that once covered the hearts of God’s people with the unveiled glory of the Lord’s face, which shines in our hearts through the Spirit. This passage invites us to gaze upon the splendor of God revealed in Christ, allowing His light to shine through us in a world often shrouded in darkness.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to live out this transformation in our daily lives. Jesus teaches that true righteousness surpasses outward observance of the law; it demands that we examine our hearts and actions. He warns against the destructive power of anger and the importance of reconciliation. If we remember that our brother has something against us while offering our gift at the altar, we are called to leave our gift and first be reconciled. This teaching emphasizes that our relationship with God is deeply intertwined with our relationships with others. We cannot worship God fully if we harbor anger or division in our hearts.
Let us reflect on how these readings apply to our lives. Are there areas where a “veil” of pride, fear, or sin prevents us from fully gazing upon God’s glory? Do we allow the Spirit to transform us, or do we cling to old ways of thinking and living? Jesus’ words remind us that true holiness is not just about avoiding sin but about actively seeking reconciliation and living in love. As we go about our day, let us ask the Spirit to shine His light into our hearts, revealing any anger or division that needs healing. May we be reconciled with God and with one another, reflecting the splendor of His love in all we do.