Daily Readings - Sat Jun 21 2025
2 Corinthians
1I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.3And I know that this man was caught up into paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--4and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.5On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.6Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.7So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated.8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Matthew
24"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.25"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?27And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?28And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.34"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound reflections on trust and surrender to God’s providence. The first reading from 2 Corinthians finds Paul recounting his mystical experiences, yet he quickly shifts focus to his weaknesses and the grace of God that sustains him. He describes how he pleaded with the Lord to remove a trial, only to hear the reassuring words, “My grace is sufficient for you.” This humility and trust in God’s plan, despite suffering, are central to Paul’s message. The Gospel from Matthew continues this theme, as Jesus teaches His disciples not to be consumed by anxiety about material needs. He invites them to consider the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, which are cared for by God, and to trust that their heavenly Father will provide for them as well. Jesus emphasizes that true freedom comes from seeking the Kingdom of God first and trusting in His goodness.
The readings are deeply connected in their call to trust in God’s providence. Paul’s willingness to glory in his weaknesses rather than his strengths reflects a radical reliance on God’s grace. Similarly, Jesus’ teaching challenges us to let go of our obsession with security and control, instead placing our hope in the Father’s care. Both readings remind us that true strength lies not in self-sufficiency but in surrendering our fears and anxieties to God. This is not an invitation to passivity but to a deeper faith that recognizes God’s presence and action in all things.
How can we apply this to our daily lives? So often, we are tempted to rely on our own efforts and resources, or we become overwhelmed by worries about the future. These readings invite us to reorient our hearts. When we face challenges or uncertainties, let us remember Paul’s words: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” And when anxiety creeps in, let us recall Jesus’ gentle assurance that our Father knows what we need. By seeking first the Kingdom of God, we are not neglecting our responsibilities but rather placing them in the hands of the One who cares for us more than we can imagine. In this way, we find true peace and freedom, even in the midst of life’s trials.