Daily Readings - Thu Jul 25 2019
2 Corinthians
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.11For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
Matthew
20Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.21And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.22But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.23And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.24And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.25But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of power, service, and the challenges of following Christ. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the paradox of being fragile, earthen vessels that hold the sublime treasure of God’s power. He reminds us that our struggles and sufferings are opportunities for God’s life to shine through us. The Gospel from Matthew presents a similar theme but shifts the focus to the nature of true greatness. The mother of James and John asks for positions of power for her sons, but Jesus responds by teaching that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in service, not in seeking status or control.
Both readings emphasize that the Christian life is not about avoiding difficulties or seeking worldly power but about embracing a life of self-giving love. In 2 Corinthians, Paul lists the trials he and other early Christians endured—tribulation, constraint, persecution—but insists that these are not obstacles to faith but opportunities for God’s power to be revealed. Similarly, in Matthew, Jesus contrasts the Gentiles’ way of ruling through domination with the Christian way of ruling through service. He calls his disciples to be servants, just as he came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
These readings challenge us to examine how we live out our faith in daily life. Do we see our struggles as opportunities for growth and witness, or do we try to avoid them? Do we seek to serve others, or do we look for ways to elevate ourselves? The moral lesson is clear: true power comes from surrendering our own will and embracing a life of humility and service. As we go about our day, let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s power, even in our weakness, and to live as servants of one another, following the example of Christ.