Daily Readings - Thu Jun 19 2025
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
In today’s readings, we hear St. Paul expressing his deep concern for the Corinthians, fearing that they might be led astray by false teachings. He reminds them of his own sacrifices and dedication, emphasizing that he has not burdened them financially, relying instead on the support of other communities. Paul’s words reveal his jealousy for the Church—not out of selfishness, but out of a profound love for their spiritual well-being. He wants them to remain pure and faithful to the Gospel he preached, untainted by the cleverness of the serpent or the allure of false gospels.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the nature of prayer. He warns against the kind of prayer that relies on many words, like the pagans who think that quantity of speech will ensure they are heard. Instead, Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer, a simple yet profound model of how to approach God. He emphasizes that our Father already knows what we need before we ask, so our prayer should be one of trust, simplicity, and sincerity. The Lord’s Prayer is not just a formula but a way of life: seeking the Father’s will, asking for daily bread, and forgiving others as we seek forgiveness. Jesus makes it clear that our relationship with God is deeply tied to our relationships with others—forgiveness is not optional but essential for receiving God’s mercy.
These readings remind us of the importance of authenticity in our faith and relationships. Like Paul, we are called to be pure and steadfast in our commitment to Christ, avoiding the temptations and deceptions of the world. Like the Lord’s Prayer, our prayer life should be rooted in simplicity, trust, and a willingness to forgive. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to imitate Paul’s zeal for the Gospel and Jesus’ teachings on prayer. May our hearts remain pure, our prayers be sincere, and our lives be marked by forgiveness and love. In doing so, we will draw closer to God and reflect His truth and mercy to the world around us.