Daily Readings - Thu Jun 22 2023
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the simplicity and authenticity of our relationship with God and with others. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul expresses his deep concern for the Corinthian community, fearing that they might be led astray by false teachings. He humbly acknowledges his own limitations, particularly in speech, but emphasizes his commitment to the Gospel and his love for the community. Paul’s words reveal his jealousy for the Church—not out of pride, but out of a desire to protect the purity of the faith and ensure that the Corinthians remain rooted in the simplicity of Christ. His willingness to sacrifice and serve without burdening them demonstrates the depth of his love and his trust in God’s providence.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the nature of prayer. He warns against the kind of prayer that relies on many words, as if God’s attention can be won by human effort. Instead, Jesus offers the Lord’s Prayer, a model of simplicity and trust. This prayer is not about reciting formulas but about entering into a personal relationship with the Father, acknowledging His holiness, and seeking His will. The prayer also emphasizes the importance of forgiveness—both seeking it and offering it to others. Jesus makes it clear that our relationship with God is deeply tied to our relationships with one another.
These readings remind us that our faith is not about grand gestures or complex words but about simplicity, sincerity, and love. Like St. Paul, we are called to remain faithful to the Gospel and to serve others with humility and generosity. Like the Lord’s Prayer, our prayer should be rooted in trust and openness to God’s will. In our daily lives, let us strive to live with this kind of simplicity and authenticity. May we cultivate a deep trust in God’s providence, forgive one another as we seek forgiveness, and remain rooted in the love of Christ.