Daily Readings - Thu Jun 17 2021
2 Corinthians
1I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me!2I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.3But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.4For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.5I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.6Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.7Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge?8I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.9And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.10As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.11And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
Matthew
7"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.10Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.11Give us this day our daily bread,12and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,15but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter themes of authenticity and sincerity, guiding us to reflect on our faith and interactions with the divine. The first reading from 2 Corinthians finds Paul expressing deep concern for the Corinthian community, fearing they might be swayed by false teachings. He defends his ministry, highlighting his commitment and the sacrifices he made, including not burdening them financially. This context reveals Paul's genuine role as an apostle, striving to keep the community rooted in true faith amidst external influences.
The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus teaching the disciples the Lord's Prayer during the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus emphasizes simplicity and sincerity in prayer, cautioning against the meaningless repetition seen in pagan practices. He underscores the importance of forgiveness, linking our forgiveness by God to our forgiveness of others. This teaching is set in the broader context of Jesus instructing his followers on how to live a life pleasing to God, focusing on the heart's intention rather than outward displays.
Both readings converge on the theme of authenticity. Paul's heartfelt defense of his ministry and Jesus's teachings on sincere prayer remind us to prioritize depth over superficiality. In our daily lives, this means engaging in prayer with intention and honesty, and nurturing our faith with authenticity. The moral lesson here is clear: our relationship with God and others should be marked by sincerity and a focus on what truly matters—living out God's will with genuine hearts.