Daily Readings - Tue Jun 18 2019
2 Corinthians
1We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will,4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints--5and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.6Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.7But as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you--see that you excel in this act of grace also.8I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Matthew
43"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?48You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the transformative power of generosity and unconditional love. The second reading from 2 Corinthians highlights the extraordinary generosity of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their poverty, gave abundantly to support others. This act of selfless giving was not out of obligation but a heartfelt response to God's grace, demonstrating that true generosity stems from a deep love for God and neighbor. The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to embrace an even higher standard of love—loving not just those who love us, but also our enemies. Jesus teaches us to pray for those who persecute us, mirroring the universal love of our heavenly Father, who showers His gifts equally on the just and the unjust.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both call us to transcend human limitations and embrace divine generosity and love. The Macedonians' willingness to give beyond their means reflects the same spirit of selflessness that Jesus teaches in the Gospel. Both readings invite us to move beyond mere duty or reciprocity and to act out of a gratuitous love that imitates God's own way of loving. Just as the Macedonians gave "first to the Lord and then to us," we too are called to surrender ourselves to God's will, trusting that His grace will provide us with everything we need to live as His children.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine our own attitudes toward giving and loving. Do we give reluctantly or generously? Do we love only those who love us back, or are we willing to extend love to those who may not deserve it? The moral lesson here is clear: our ultimate model is God Himself, who is perfect in His love and generosity. As we strive to "be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect," we must trust in His providence and allow His grace to transform our hearts. By doing so, we become instruments of His love and generosity in a world that sorely needs it.