Daily Readings - Mon Aug 10 2020

2 Corinthians

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;)

John

24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Sermon

In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of generosity and self-giving love. The second reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that our generosity is not just about what we give, but the spirit in which we give. Paul encourages us to give cheerfully, trusting that God will provide us with everything we need to live abundantly and to do good works. This passage is set in the context of the early Christian community, where believers were called to support one another, especially those in need. The act of giving is portrayed as an act of grace, where both the giver and the receiver are blessed. The Gospel reading from John takes this idea of giving to a deeper level. Jesus uses the metaphor of the grain of wheat that must fall to the ground and die in order to bear fruit. This is a powerful image of self-sacrifice and the transformative power of love. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his own death and resurrection, teaching them that true life comes through surrender and service. The passage is set in the context of Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem, where he will ultimately lay down his life for the sake of the world. For us, this means that our lives are not our own, but are meant to be lived in service to others. These readings are deeply connected. Both invite us to let go of our attachment to material possessions and even to our own lives, trusting that in doing so, we will find true life and fruitfulness. In our daily lives, this might mean being more generous with our resources, our time, and our talents. It might also mean embracing the sacrifices that come with loving and serving others. The moral lesson here is clear: true life is not found in hoarding or self-preservation, but in giving ourselves away in love. As we strive to live this out, we can take comfort in the promise that God will multiply our efforts and bring forth abundant fruit.