Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 21, 2019
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 11.18, 21b-30
18Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.21To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!But whatever anyone else dares to boast of--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast of that.22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.23Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one--I am talking like a madman--with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.24Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.25Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;26on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;27in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.28And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
Psalm 34
1I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.3Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!4I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.8Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!9Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!10The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.16The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.20He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.21Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Gospel: Matthew 6.19-23
19"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.22"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,23but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect on our priorities and commitments. The first reading from 2 Corinthians finds Paul listing the hardships and sufferings he has endured for the sake of the Gospel. He speaks of numerous imprisonments, beatings, and dangers, yet he does not boast in his strength but in his weaknesses. Paul's words are a testament to his unwavering dedication to his mission and his trust in God's grace, even in the face of immense trials. This passage reminds us that true strength lies not in our own abilities but in our willingness to surrender to God's will, even when the path is difficult.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the dangers of earthly treasures and the importance of storing up treasures in heaven. He warns that our hearts will be drawn to whatever we treasure most, and if our focus is on material wealth, our hearts will be consumed by it. Jesus also emphasizes the importance of a pure heart, using the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body. If our vision is clear and our intentions are pure, our entire being will be filled with light. However, if our vision is corrupted by greed or selfishness, darkness will take hold. This teaching challenges us to examine where we place our trust and what we value most in life.
These readings are deeply connected, as both Paul and Jesus call us to reorient our lives toward spiritual priorities. Paul's willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the Gospel reflects a heart fully dedicated to heavenly treasures. Similarly, Jesus teaches us that our true wealth lies not in material possessions but in a life lived in accordance with God's will. As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: Where are we placing our trust? Are we allowing the trials of life to draw us closer to God, or are we becoming distracted by earthly concerns? May we strive to live with the kind of integrity and generosity that Paul exemplifies, trusting that our true treasure lies in heaven, where no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Let us pray for the grace to keep our hearts pure and our eyes fixed on the light of Christ.