Daily Readings - Mon Jun 12 2023
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 encounter powerful reflections on suffering, consolation, and the call to live as children of God. The second reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that our struggles, though real, are not without purpose or hope. Paul writes that just as Christ’s Passion abounds in us, so too does His consolation. This passage reassures us that our tribulations are not isolated but are part of a larger story of redemption. Through our endurance, we are able to offer comfort to others, just as God has consoled us. This is not a promise of ease but a promise of accompaniment—God walks with us in our trials and transforms them into opportunities for grace.
The Gospel from Matthew takes us to the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus proclaims the Beatitudes. These blessings reveal the countercultural nature of the Kingdom of God. Jesus teaches that true happiness is not found in power or wealth but in humility, mercy, and a thirst for justice. The Beatitudes are not just descriptions of the blessed; they are a call to live in a way that reflects the heart of God. Those who are meek, who mourn, and who hunger for justice are not pitied by Jesus—they are praised. This is a radical vision of life, one that upends the world’s standards and invites us to embrace a path of love and compassion, even in the face of persecution.
These readings remind us that our faith is not a shield from suffering but a way to navigate it with hope. Like Paul, we are called to find consolation in Christ and to share that consolation with others. Like the Beatitudes, we are invited to live in a way that reflects the values of the Kingdom, even when it is difficult. In our daily lives, this means trusting in God’s plan, embracing the crosses we carry, and striving to be peacemakers and people of mercy. Let us allow these words to transform us, that we might find joy in living as children of God, even in the midst of challenges.