Daily Readings - Mon Jun 19 2023
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 encounter two powerful messages that guide us in living out our Christian faith. The first reading from 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Paul urges the Corinthians to embrace the grace of God fully and to endure hardships with patience and love. He emphasizes the importance of living as ministers of God, even in the face of tribulation, by maintaining chastity, knowledge, and longsuffering. This passage is set in the context of Paul's correspondence with the Corinthian church, addressing their challenges and encouraging faithfulness.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 5:38-42 is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He teaches about the ethics of the Kingdom of God. Jesus challenges His followers to move beyond the law of retaliation, advocating for non-resistance and generosity. He instructs them to offer the other cheek, give more than required, and lend without hesitation. This teaching emphasizes responding to evil with kindness and love.
Together, these readings connect by highlighting the Christian life as one of endurance and active love. Paul's endurance in hardship and Jesus' call to radical love show us that faith involves both perseverance and compassionate action. Applying this to daily life, we are called to face challenges with patience and to respond to others with generosity and kindness, trusting in God's providence.
The moral lesson here is clear: our faith should be lived out in grace, endurance, and love. We are to trust in God's plan, endure trials with patience, and actively choose to love and give, even when it is difficult. This way of life reflects the heart of Christian living, guiding us to embody the love and endurance taught by Paul and Jesus.