Daily Readings - Thu Jun 15 2023
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
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the transformative power of the Spirit and the call to live a life of love and reconciliation. The second reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that when we turn to the Lord, the veil is lifted, and the Spirit brings us freedom and illumination. This freedom is not just a release from bondage but an invitation to be transformed by the glory of God in Christ. The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to move beyond mere obedience to the law and to embrace a deeper righteousness. Jesus teaches that anger and harsh words can lead to judgment, urging us to reconcile with others before offering worship and to settle disputes quickly to avoid spiritual harm.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian communities. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, contrasts the old covenant with the new one in Christ, emphasizing the Spirit's role in revealing God's splendor. In Matthew, Jesus expands the understanding of the law, shifting focus from external actions to the heart's intentions. Both readings highlight the importance of living in the Spirit and embracing a life of love and mercy.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded to seek the Spirit's guidance, allowing it to transform us. We are called to look beyond the surface and to live with hearts open to God's will. The moral lesson here is clear: reconciliation and forgiveness are essential. Let us not let anger fester but instead seek to resolve conflicts with love. May we embrace the freedom and light of the Spirit, living as children of God, transformed by His glory and committed to a life of mercy and peace.