Daily Readings - Mon Jun 07 2021
2 Corinthians
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,4who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.5For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.6If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.7Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
Matthew
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear powerful messages about suffering, consolation, and the qualities of a faithful life. In the Second Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes about the connection between suffering and consolation. He explains that just as Christ's sufferings bring us consolation, so too can our own trials become a source of comfort for others. This is a profound reminder that our struggles are not isolated but are part of a larger community of faith where we can support and uplift one another.
In the Gospel, Jesus delivers the Beatitudes, a series of blessings that outline the qualities of those who are truly His followers. He blesses the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, and those who endure persecution for the sake of justice. These Beatitudes challenge us to live in a way that reflects the kingdom of God, even in the midst of a world that often values power, wealth, and status. Jesus is not promising us ease or comfort in this life but is calling us to live with integrity, compassion, and hope.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Paul and Jesus are teaching us about the transformative power of suffering and the importance of living a life of faith and virtue. Paul shows us that our struggles can be a source of grace for others, while Jesus calls us to embody the qualities of the kingdom of God, even when it is difficult. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace both the challenges and the blessings that come from following Christ. Let us strive to be people of mercy, peace, and hope, knowing that our trials can lead to consolation and that our lives can reflect the kingdom of God. May we find strength in our faith and may we be instruments of God's grace in the world.