Daily Readings - Mon Jun 12 2017
2 Corinthians
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,4who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.5For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.6If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.7Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
Matthew
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear powerful messages about hope, consolation, and the transformative power of faith amidst suffering. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that God, the Father of mercies, consoles us in our tribulations so that we, in turn, may console others. Paul shares his own struggles and the struggles of the early Christian community, but he does not leave us in despair. Instead, he points to the hope that comes from sharing in Christ's sufferings and consolation. This passage invites us to see our struggles not as ends in themselves but as opportunities to grow in compassion and to support one another.
The Gospel from Matthew presents us with the Beatitudes, a beautiful and counter-cultural vision of what it means to live a life pleasing to God. Jesus blesses those who are poor in spirit, meek, mournful, hungry for justice, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. He even blesses those who endure persecution for the sake of justice. These Beatitudes challenge us to reevaluate our values and priorities, calling us to embrace humility, kindness, and a commitment to justice, even when it is difficult. They remind us that true happiness and fulfillment come not from worldly success but from living in harmony with God's will.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Paul and Jesus teach us that our struggles and hardships are not obstacles to living a meaningful life but are instead opportunities to grow closer to God and to serve others. The Beatitudes show us the attitudes and virtues that should shape our lives, while Paul's letter encourages us to trust in God's plan and to find hope even in the midst of suffering. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How can we embrace the challenges of our own lives with faith and hope? How can we live out the Beatitudes in our daily interactions with others? May we find strength in God's consolation and may we strive to be peacemakers and sources of hope in a world that often seems divided and broken.