Daily Readings - Thu Jun 10 2021
2 Corinthians
15Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.16But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.18And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
1Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.5For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Matthew
20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.21"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.26Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of God’s grace and the call to live with integrity and compassion. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks about the veil that covers the hearts of those who do not see the truth of the Gospel. He reminds us that true freedom and transformation come from the Spirit of the Lord, who enlightens our minds and hearts to see the glory of God in the face of Christ. Paul emphasizes that our ministry is not about ourselves but about proclaiming Jesus Christ, and that the light of God’s truth shines in us despite the darkness of this world.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to go beyond the external observance of the law and to live with a deeper righteousness. He warns us against the destructive power of anger and insults, teaching that our relationship with others is just as important as our relationship with God. Jesus urges us to seek reconciliation quickly, even before offering worship, because unresolved conflicts can lead to spiritual harm. This teaching reminds us that our faith must be lived out in love and humility, not just in words or rituals.
These readings are connected by the theme of transformation and authenticity. In 2 Corinthians, the Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ, while in Matthew, Jesus calls us to transform our hearts by living out the Gospel in our relationships. Both readings remind us that our faith is not just about what we believe but about how we live. In our daily lives, we are called to let the Spirit of God shine through us, to seek reconciliation when we have wronged others, and to live with integrity and compassion. Let us ask for the grace to allow God’s light to penetrate our hearts and to live in a way that reflects the love and truth of Christ.