Daily Readings - Thu Jun 20 2019
2 Corinthians
1I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me!2I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.3But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.4For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.5I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.6Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.7Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge?8I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.9And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.10As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.11And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
Matthew
7"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.10Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.11Give us this day our daily bread,12and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,15but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound lessons on faith and prayer. The first reading from 2 Corinthians finds Paul expressing his deep concern for the Corinthian community, fearing they may be swayed by false teachings. He emphasizes his commitment to them, highlighting his selfless service and refusal to be a burden, underscoring the authenticity of his apostleship. In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer, instructing them on sincere and simple prayer, contrasting it with the empty repetitions of the pagans. He also stresses the crucial role of forgiveness in prayer.
The context of these readings reveals Paul’s passionate defense of his ministry, ensuring the Corinthians remain faithful to the true Gospel amidst potential deception. His jealousy is not of selfishness but of a father’s care for his spiritual children. In Matthew, Jesus shifts the focus from the quantity of words to the quality of prayer, teaching that true prayer is heartfelt and trusting in God’s providence. The emphasis on forgiveness ties both readings together, illustrating that genuine faith is lived out in both our relationship with God and our interactions with others.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are reminded to stay vigilant in our faith, mindful of influences that could lead us astray. Our prayers should be sincere, not merely recitations, and forgiveness should be a cornerstone of our relationships. The moral lesson here is the importance of authenticity and forgiveness. Like Paul, we should embody our faith through selfless actions, and like Jesus taught, our prayers should reflect a genuine connection with God, always seeking to forgive and be forgiven.