Daily Readings - Wed Jun 18 2025
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, St. Paul and Jesus both invite us to reflect on the motivations behind our actions, particularly in matters of faith and charity. In the second reading from 2 Corinthians, Paul emphasizes the importance of generous and cheerful giving. He reminds us that God blesses those who give with a willing heart, not out of obligation or sadness. This passage encourages us to trust in God’s providence, knowing that He will abundantly provide for our needs when we act with generosity and gratitude.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns against performing acts of piety—such as almsgiving, prayer, and fasting—solely for the sake of appearances. He condemns hypocrisy, where individuals seek praise from others rather than pleasing God. Jesus calls us to sincerity and humility, urging us to perform these acts in secret, where only God can see. By doing so, we ensure that our actions are motivated by a genuine love for God and a desire to grow closer to Him, rather than by the desire for human approval.
These readings remind us that our faith must be rooted in sincerity and humility. Whether we are giving, praying, or fasting, our focus should always be on pleasing God rather than impressing others. Let us examine our own motivations and strive to act with the kind of authenticity that Jesus and Paul describe. When we do so, we open ourselves to God’s grace and allow our actions to bear fruit that lasts.