Daily Readings - Sat Jun 15 2019

¹⁴For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;¹⁵and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.¹⁶From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.¹⁸All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;¹⁹that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.²⁰Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.²¹For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Matthew

Chapter 5

³³"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'³⁴But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,³⁵or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.³⁶And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.³⁷Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

Sermon

In today's readings, we explore profound teachings from 2 Corinthians and Matthew, both guiding us toward a life of authenticity and reconciliation. The passage from 2 Corinthians emphasizes our new identity in Christ, urging us to live as ambassadors of reconciliation, entrusted with the mission of restoring relationships between God and humanity. This is rooted in the belief that Christ's death and resurrection have transformed us, making us new creations. The Gospel from Matthew complements this by highlighting the importance of integrity in our speech, as Jesus teaches us to avoid oaths and instead let our "Yes" mean "Yes" and our "No" mean "No." This teaching underscores the value of truthfulness and simplicity in our interactions. These readings, while distinct, are interconnected in their call to authentic living. In 2 Corinthians, Paul's focus is on the transformative power of Christ, urging believers to embrace their role in reconciling others to God. This transformation is not just internal but also external, manifesting in how we live and interact. Matthew's teaching on honesty ties into this by illustrating that our words and actions are integral to living out our faith. By being truthful and reliable, we reflect the character of Christ, fostering trust and reconciliation in our relationships. Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are reminded to approach each interaction with honesty and integrity. Whether in personal relationships, professional dealings, or community engagements, our commitment to truthfulness and simplicity in speech is a form of reconciliation. It builds trust and fosters understanding, reflecting our identity as new creations in Christ. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us strive to be ambassadors of reconciliation, not just in grand gestures, but in the everyday moments where our words and actions can bring healing and unity. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith is not just about belief but about how we live and interact. By embracing honesty and integrity, we embody the love and truth of Christ, contributing to a world in need of reconciliation. Let us prayerfully consider how we can live out this calling, allowing the transformative power of Christ to shine through us in every word and deed.