Daily Readings - Wed Jun 19 2019
2 Corinthians
6The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.7Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.9As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.11You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Matthew
1"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.2"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.5"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.16"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.17But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,18that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of our relationship with God and how we express our faith through our actions. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that our generosity should be cheerful and trusting in God’s providence. Paul encourages the Corinthians to give freely, knowing that God will abundantly provide for their needs. This passage emphasizes that true giving is not about obligation but about joy and trust in God’s plan.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this by focusing on the importance of sincerity in our religious practices. Jesus warns against performing acts of piety like almsgiving, prayer, and fasting solely for the approval of others. He teaches that these acts should be done in secret, directed toward God rather than public display. The key message here is that our faith should be genuine and focused on pleasing God, not seeking human praise.
These readings challenge us to examine our motives and the authenticity of our faith. In our daily lives, we are called to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with God, ensuring that our actions—whether in giving, praying, or fasting—are done with sincerity and humility. Let us strive to live our faith in a way that honors God, trusting in His love and providence, and finding true fulfillment in our connection with Him.