Daily Readings - Sat Jun 14 2025

2 Corinthians

14For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Matthew

33"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'34But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,35or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.36And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.37Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

Sermon

In today's readings, we explore themes of transformation and authenticity through our faith. The first reading from 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 highlights the profound impact of Christ's death and resurrection. Paul emphasizes that we are no longer the same, for we have been reconciled to God through Christ. This reconciliation transforms us into new creations, ambassadors of God's love and reconciliation. Our lives should now reflect this newness, living not for ourselves but for Christ, who has made us righteous through His sacrifice. In the Gospel, Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus teaches us about the importance of honesty and simplicity in our speech. He instructs us to avoid swearing oaths and instead let our words be truthful and straightforward. This teaching is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus interprets the Law in a way that calls for a deeper integrity. Our "Yes" should mean "Yes," and our "No" should mean "No," reflecting the authenticity of our character. These readings connect in their call to live out our faith authentically. In Corinthians, we are ambassadors of reconciliation, while in Matthew, we are called to truthful living. Together, they remind us that our faith should permeate every aspect of our lives, including our interactions with others. Practically, this means avoiding deceit, keeping our promises, and ensuring our words and actions align with our beliefs. The moral lesson here is one of integrity and authenticity. As new creations in Christ, we are called to live in a way that reflects God's truth and love. Our transformed lives should be evident in how we speak and act, serving as a testament to the reconciliation we have through Christ. Let us strive to live authentically, embodying the truth and love of God in all we do.