Daily Readings - Thu Jun 15 2017
First Reading - 2 Corinthians 3.15 4.1, 3-6
2 Corinthians
1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Gospel - Matthew 5.20-26
Matthew
20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter a profound invitation to reflect on the nature of our faith and how it should shape our lives. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that the ministry of the Gospel is not about ourselves but about Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of a veil that covers the hearts of those who hear the old covenant, symbolizing the spiritual blindness that can prevent people from seeing the truth of God’s love. He emphasizes that we are called to preach Christ, and our lives must reflect the light of His glory. This passage challenges us to consider whether our own hearts are open to the transformative power of the Gospel or if we, too, are veiled by worldly distractions.
The Gospel from Matthew takes us deeper into the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus calls us to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. He teaches that anger and harsh words toward others are as serious as murder, and He commands us to seek reconciliation before offering worship. This is not merely about avoiding sin but about living in such a way that our relationships are marked by love, mercy, and humility. Jesus’ words are a stark reminder that our faith is not just about rules or rituals but about the way we treat one another.
These readings are deeply connected, as both emphasize the need for spiritual transformation. In 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks of the light of the Gospel shining in our hearts, while in Matthew, Jesus calls us to live out that light in our daily interactions. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be lived out in love and reconciliation. Let us ask ourselves today: Are we allowing the light of Christ to shine through us? Are we striving to forgive, to reconcile, and to love as He has loved us? May we embrace the call to live a life that reflects the glory of God, not just in our words, but in our actions and relationships.