Daily Readings - Thu Jul 25 2019
2 Corinthians
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;10always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.11For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.12So death is at work in us, but life in you.13Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak,14knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.15For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Matthew
20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.21And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom."22Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able."23He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."24And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.25But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.26It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,28even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of power, service, and the challenges of following Christ. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the paradox of being fragile, earthen vessels that hold the sublime treasure of God’s power. He reminds us that our struggles and sufferings are opportunities for God’s life to shine through us. The Gospel from Matthew presents a similar theme but shifts the focus to the nature of true greatness. The mother of James and John asks for positions of power for her sons, but Jesus responds by teaching that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in service, not in seeking status or control.
Both readings emphasize that the Christian life is not about avoiding difficulties or seeking worldly power but about embracing a life of self-giving love. In 2 Corinthians, Paul lists the trials he and other early Christians endured—tribulation, constraint, persecution—but insists that these are not obstacles to faith but opportunities for God’s power to be revealed. Similarly, in Matthew, Jesus contrasts the Gentiles’ way of ruling through domination with the Christian way of ruling through service. He calls his disciples to be servants, just as he came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
These readings challenge us to examine how we live out our faith in daily life. Do we see our struggles as opportunities for growth and witness, or do we try to avoid them? Do we seek to serve others, or do we look for ways to elevate ourselves? The moral lesson is clear: true power comes from surrendering our own will and embracing a life of humility and service. As we go about our day, let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s power, even in our weakness, and to live as servants of one another, following the example of Christ.