Daily Readings - Fri Jun 14 2019
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.
Matthew
27"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.31"It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'32But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, suffering, and the deeper implications of God’s law. In 2 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that our bodies are but fragile vessels holding a divine treasure. He speaks of enduring trials and tribulations, not with despair, but with hope, knowing that our suffering is a participation in Christ’s own death and resurrection. This hope is rooted in faith, as Paul emphasizes, quoting the psalmist: “I believed, and so I spoke.” This faith is not passive but active, compelling us to speak and act in a way that manifests the life of Jesus in our mortal flesh.
In the Gospel, Jesus takes us deeper into the heart of the law. He teaches that adultery is not just a physical act but also a matter of the heart. Looking at someone with lust is already adultery in God’s eyes. Similarly, He speaks about divorce, emphasizing the seriousness of such an act and its consequences. Jesus is not just interpreting the law; He is calling us to a higher standard of integrity and purity. This is not about legalism but about the transformation of the heart. Just as Paul speaks of carrying the death of Jesus in our bodies, Jesus here calls us to “cut off” whatever leads us to sin, even if it is as dear as a hand or an eye. This is radical, but it is the call to holiness.
These readings challenge us to examine our lives. Are we enduring trials with faith, trusting that God’s power shines through our weakness? Are we living with integrity, not just outwardly but inwardly? The moral lesson is clear: true Christianity is not about outward appearances but about the condition of the heart. It is about living in such a way that the life of Jesus is manifested in us, even in the midst of suffering. Let us ask for the grace to embrace this call to holiness, to trust in God’s power, and to live with hearts pure and true.