Daily Readings - Thu Jun 20 2019
2 Corinthians
1Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.4For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.5For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.6But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.7Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?8I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.9And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.10As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.11Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
Matthew
7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11Give us this day our daily bread.12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound lessons on faith and prayer. The first reading from 2 Corinthians finds Paul expressing his deep concern for the Corinthian community, fearing they may be swayed by false teachings. He emphasizes his commitment to them, highlighting his selfless service and refusal to be a burden, underscoring the authenticity of his apostleship. In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer, instructing them on sincere and simple prayer, contrasting it with the empty repetitions of the pagans. He also stresses the crucial role of forgiveness in prayer.
The context of these readings reveals Paul’s passionate defense of his ministry, ensuring the Corinthians remain faithful to the true Gospel amidst potential deception. His jealousy is not of selfishness but of a father’s care for his spiritual children. In Matthew, Jesus shifts the focus from the quantity of words to the quality of prayer, teaching that true prayer is heartfelt and trusting in God’s providence. The emphasis on forgiveness ties both readings together, illustrating that genuine faith is lived out in both our relationship with God and our interactions with others.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are reminded to stay vigilant in our faith, mindful of influences that could lead us astray. Our prayers should be sincere, not merely recitations, and forgiveness should be a cornerstone of our relationships. The moral lesson here is the importance of authenticity and forgiveness. Like Paul, we should embody our faith through selfless actions, and like Jesus taught, our prayers should reflect a genuine connection with God, always seeking to forgive and be forgiven.