Daily Readings - Tue Sep 26 2017
2 Corinthians
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;10always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.11For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.12So death is at work in us, but life in you.13Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak,14knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.15For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Luke
23And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.25For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?26For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the paradox of the Christian life: that true strength lies in weakness, and true life is found in self-surrender. In the second reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the treasure of the Gospel being carried in "earthen vessels," fragile and imperfect as we are. He reminds us that our struggles and sufferings are not obstacles to God’s work but opportunities for His power to shine through us. This is the heart of the Christian mystery: in our vulnerability, God’s strength is revealed.
In the Gospel, Jesus takes this idea a step further. He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. This is not a call to self-punishment but an invitation to reorient our lives. Jesus warns that trying to save our lives on our own terms leads to loss, while losing our lives for His sake leads to true salvation. The cross is not just a symbol of suffering but a way of life—a life of love, sacrifice, and trust in God’s plan.
These readings remind us that our faith is not about avoiding challenges but about embracing them with courage and hope. In our daily lives, we are called to carry our own crosses—whether it’s a difficult relationship, a personal struggle, or a sacrifice for the sake of others. Like St. Paul, we can find joy in knowing that our weaknesses are opportunities for God to work through us. And like Jesus, we can trust that even in the midst of suffering, we are being drawn closer to eternal life. Let us, therefore, embrace the paradox of the Christian life, knowing that in surrendering ourselves to God, we find true freedom and fulfillment.