Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 21, 2017
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 9.6-11
6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:9As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Psalm 112
1Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.2His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.3Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.4Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.5A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.6Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.7He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.8His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.9He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.10The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Sermon
In today’s reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul reminds us of the timeless truth that our generosity is directly tied to the abundance we receive from God. He writes, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows with blessings shall also reap from blessings.” This passage is part of Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthian community to contribute generously to the collection for the poor in Jerusalem. He emphasizes that our giving should not be done out of obligation or sadness but with cheerfulness, for “God loves a cheerful giver.” Paul assures us that God is able to make every grace abound in us, so that we may always have what we need and even abound in good works.
This teaching is deeply rooted in the context of the early Christian Church, where caring for the poor was a central expression of faith. Paul’s words reflect the Jewish principle of tithing but elevate it to a spiritual level, emphasizing the interior disposition of the heart. The reading reminds us that our relationship with material goods is not just practical but profoundly spiritual. When we give generously and joyfully, we participate in God’s own generosity and allow His grace to flow through us to others.
In our daily lives, this passage calls us to reflect on how we view our resources, talents, and time. Do we hold them tightly, fearing scarcity, or do we trust in God’s providence and share them freely? Paul’s words invite us to live with open hands and open hearts, trusting that God will multiply the fruits of our justice and increase the growth of our generosity. Let us remember that true wealth is not in what we accumulate but in the love and thanksgiving we share with others. As we strive to live as cheerful givers, may we experience the abundant life that only God can provide.