Daily Readings - Thu Jun 15 2017
2 Corinthians
1Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.5For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Matthew
20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.21"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.26Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter a profound invitation to reflect on the nature of our faith and how it should shape our lives. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that the ministry of the Gospel is not about ourselves but about Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of a veil that covers the hearts of those who hear the old covenant, symbolizing the spiritual blindness that can prevent people from seeing the truth of God’s love. He emphasizes that we are called to preach Christ, and our lives must reflect the light of His glory. This passage challenges us to consider whether our own hearts are open to the transformative power of the Gospel or if we, too, are veiled by worldly distractions.
The Gospel from Matthew takes us deeper into the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus calls us to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. He teaches that anger and harsh words toward others are as serious as murder, and He commands us to seek reconciliation before offering worship. This is not merely about avoiding sin but about living in such a way that our relationships are marked by love, mercy, and humility. Jesus’ words are a stark reminder that our faith is not just about rules or rituals but about the way we treat one another.
These readings are deeply connected, as both emphasize the need for spiritual transformation. In 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks of the light of the Gospel shining in our hearts, while in Matthew, Jesus calls us to live out that light in our daily interactions. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be lived out in love and reconciliation. Let us ask ourselves today: Are we allowing the light of Christ to shine through us? Are we striving to forgive, to reconcile, and to love as He has loved us? May we embrace the call to live a life that reflects the glory of God, not just in our words, but in our actions and relationships.