Daily Readings - Thu Jun 13 2019
2 Corinthians
15Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.16But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.18And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of God’s Spirit and the call to live out our faith in love and reconciliation. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the veil that once covered the hearts of God’s people, a veil that is lifted when we turn to the Lord. He reminds us that the Spirit of the Lord brings freedom and transfigures us into the image of Christ. This transformation is not just an inward reality but also a call to mission. Paul emphasizes that we are servants of the Gospel, entrusted with the ministry of illuminating the splendor of God in the face of Christ Jesus. The light of the Gospel, however, can be obscured for those who are perishing, and it is our responsibility to live in such a way that this light shines through us.
In the Gospel, Matthew 5:20-26, Jesus teaches us that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. He deepens the commandment against murder by condemning anger and hurtful speech. Jesus makes it clear that our relationship with God is inseparable from our relationships with one another. If we remember that our brother or sister has something against us while we are offering our gift at the altar, we must first seek reconciliation. This teaching underscores the importance of living in love and harmony with others. Jesus warns us to reconcile quickly with our adversaries, lest we face the consequences of unresolved conflict. This is not just a practical advice but a spiritual imperative: our worship and our witness are hollow if we do not live in peace with one another.
These readings remind us that our faith is not merely a set of beliefs but a way of life. The Spirit of the Lord transforms us, but this transformation must bear fruit in our actions. We are called to be light in a world that often prefers darkness, and this light is most visible when we love and forgive as Christ has loved and forgiven us. Let us ask ourselves: Are there relationships in my life that need healing? Am I allowing the Spirit to shine through me in my interactions with others? May we seek reconciliation where there is division and may we reflect the splendor of God in all that we do.