Daily Readings - Sat Jun 14 2025

¹⁴For the charity of Christ urges us on, in consideration of this: that if one died for all, then all have died¹⁵And Christ died for all, so that even those who live might not now live for themselves, but for him who died for them and who rose again¹⁶And so, from now on, we know no one according to the flesh. And though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him in this way no longer¹⁷So if anyone is a new creature in Christ, what is old has passed away. Behold, all things have been made new¹⁸But all is of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation¹⁹For certainly God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging them with their sins. And he has placed in us the Word of reconciliation²⁰Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, so that God is exhorting through us. We beseech you for Christ: be reconciled to God²¹For God made him who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the justice of God in him

Matthew

Chapter 5

³³Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord.³⁴But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God³⁵nor by earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king³⁶Neither shall you swear an oath by your own head, because you are not able to cause one hair to become white or black³⁷But let your word ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For anything beyond that is of evil

Sermon

In today's readings, we explore themes of transformation and authenticity through our faith. The first reading from 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 highlights the profound impact of Christ's death and resurrection. Paul emphasizes that we are no longer the same, for we have been reconciled to God through Christ. This reconciliation transforms us into new creations, ambassadors of God's love and reconciliation. Our lives should now reflect this newness, living not for ourselves but for Christ, who has made us righteous through His sacrifice. In the Gospel, Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus teaches us about the importance of honesty and simplicity in our speech. He instructs us to avoid swearing oaths and instead let our words be truthful and straightforward. This teaching is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus interprets the Law in a way that calls for a deeper integrity. Our "Yes" should mean "Yes," and our "No" should mean "No," reflecting the authenticity of our character. These readings connect in their call to live out our faith authentically. In Corinthians, we are ambassadors of reconciliation, while in Matthew, we are called to truthful living. Together, they remind us that our faith should permeate every aspect of our lives, including our interactions with others. Practically, this means avoiding deceit, keeping our promises, and ensuring our words and actions align with our beliefs. The moral lesson here is one of integrity and authenticity. As new creations in Christ, we are called to live in a way that reflects God's truth and love. Our transformed lives should be evident in how we speak and act, serving as a testament to the reconciliation we have through Christ. Let us strive to live authentically, embodying the truth and love of God in all we do.