Daily Readings - Mon Jun 07 2021
2 Corinthians
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:2Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.6And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.7And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Matthew
1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear powerful messages about suffering, consolation, and the qualities of a faithful life. In the Second Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes about the connection between suffering and consolation. He explains that just as Christ's sufferings bring us consolation, so too can our own trials become a source of comfort for others. This is a profound reminder that our struggles are not isolated but are part of a larger community of faith where we can support and uplift one another.
In the Gospel, Jesus delivers the Beatitudes, a series of blessings that outline the qualities of those who are truly His followers. He blesses the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, and those who endure persecution for the sake of justice. These Beatitudes challenge us to live in a way that reflects the kingdom of God, even in the midst of a world that often values power, wealth, and status. Jesus is not promising us ease or comfort in this life but is calling us to live with integrity, compassion, and hope.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Paul and Jesus are teaching us about the transformative power of suffering and the importance of living a life of faith and virtue. Paul shows us that our struggles can be a source of grace for others, while Jesus calls us to embody the qualities of the kingdom of God, even when it is difficult. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace both the challenges and the blessings that come from following Christ. Let us strive to be people of mercy, peace, and hope, knowing that our trials can lead to consolation and that our lives can reflect the kingdom of God. May we find strength in our faith and may we be instruments of God's grace in the world.