Daily Readings - Mon Jun 12 2017
First Reading - 2 Corinthians 1.1-7
2 Corinthians
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Gospel - Matthew 5.1-12
Matthew
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear powerful messages about hope, consolation, and the transformative power of faith amidst suffering. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that God, the Father of mercies, consoles us in our tribulations so that we, in turn, may console others. Paul shares his own struggles and the struggles of the early Christian community, but he does not leave us in despair. Instead, he points to the hope that comes from sharing in Christ's sufferings and consolation. This passage invites us to see our struggles not as ends in themselves but as opportunities to grow in compassion and to support one another.
The Gospel from Matthew presents us with the Beatitudes, a beautiful and counter-cultural vision of what it means to live a life pleasing to God. Jesus blesses those who are poor in spirit, meek, mournful, hungry for justice, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. He even blesses those who endure persecution for the sake of justice. These Beatitudes challenge us to reevaluate our values and priorities, calling us to embrace humility, kindness, and a commitment to justice, even when it is difficult. They remind us that true happiness and fulfillment come not from worldly success but from living in harmony with God's will.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Paul and Jesus teach us that our struggles and hardships are not obstacles to living a meaningful life but are instead opportunities to grow closer to God and to serve others. The Beatitudes show us the attitudes and virtues that should shape our lives, while Paul's letter encourages us to trust in God's plan and to find hope even in the midst of suffering. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How can we embrace the challenges of our own lives with faith and hope? How can we live out the Beatitudes in our daily interactions with others? May we find strength in God's consolation and may we strive to be peacemakers and sources of hope in a world that often seems divided and broken.