Daily Readings - Tue Jun 18 2019
2 Corinthians
1Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;4Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.6Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.7Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.8I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Matthew
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the transformative power of generosity and unconditional love. The second reading from 2 Corinthians highlights the extraordinary generosity of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their poverty, gave abundantly to support others. This act of selfless giving was not out of obligation but a heartfelt response to God's grace, demonstrating that true generosity stems from a deep love for God and neighbor. The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to embrace an even higher standard of love—loving not just those who love us, but also our enemies. Jesus teaches us to pray for those who persecute us, mirroring the universal love of our heavenly Father, who showers His gifts equally on the just and the unjust.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both call us to transcend human limitations and embrace divine generosity and love. The Macedonians' willingness to give beyond their means reflects the same spirit of selflessness that Jesus teaches in the Gospel. Both readings invite us to move beyond mere duty or reciprocity and to act out of a gratuitous love that imitates God's own way of loving. Just as the Macedonians gave "first to the Lord and then to us," we too are called to surrender ourselves to God's will, trusting that His grace will provide us with everything we need to live as His children.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine our own attitudes toward giving and loving. Do we give reluctantly or generously? Do we love only those who love us back, or are we willing to extend love to those who may not deserve it? The moral lesson here is clear: our ultimate model is God Himself, who is perfect in His love and generosity. As we strive to "be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect," we must trust in His providence and allow His grace to transform our hearts. By doing so, we become instruments of His love and generosity in a world that sorely needs it.