Daily Readings - Mon Jun 14 2021
2 Corinthians
1Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.2For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you."Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.3We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
Matthew
38"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'39But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.42Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are presented with powerful lessons on how to navigate life’s challenges with faith and grace. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that as ministers of God, we are called to endure hardships with patience and integrity. Paul lists various trials—tribulation, imprisonment, rebellion—and counters them with qualities like chastity, knowledge, and longsuffering. The key is not just enduring but doing so in a way that reflects our holy character. The Gospel from Matthew, part of the Sermon on the Mount, challenges us to rethink our approach to conflict. Jesus teaches us to go beyond non-retaliation, to offer the other cheek, and to give more than what is demanded. This is a call to radical love, breaking the cycle of vengeance and retribution.
The context of these readings is crucial. In Corinthians, Paul addresses a community facing persecution and internal strife, urging them to remain faithful. In Matthew, Jesus challenges traditional notions of justice, shifting from retribution to mercy. Together, these readings present a comprehensive approach to adversity: enduring suffering with grace and responding to evil with love. This dual focus—endurance and love—guides us in our daily struggles, whether personal or interpersonal.
Applying these teachings to our lives, we are encouraged to handle stress and difficult relationships with patience and kindness. By enduring hardships with integrity and responding to challenges with love, we embody Christ’s teachings. The moral lesson is clear: our response to life’s trials should reflect our faith, allowing us to be effective ministers of God’s grace in the world. Through this, we not only navigate life’s challenges but also become beacons of hope and love.