Daily Readings - Tue Jun 08 2021
2 Corinthians
18But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.20For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.21Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Matthew
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the profound trust we place in God and the vital role we play as His people in the world. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul reassures the Corinthians of God's unwavering faithfulness. He emphasizes that all of God's promises are fulfilled in Christ, who is the ultimate "Yes" to His people. Paul also highlights the anointing and sealing of the Holy Spirit, which marks us as God's own and equips us for our mission. This passage invites us to trust in God's reliability and to live with confidence in His plan for us.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the imagery of salt and light to describe the transformative impact His followers should have on the world. Salt, when it loses its flavor, becomes useless, just as a light hidden under a basket fails to illuminate. Jesus calls us to be visible and effective in our faith, letting our good works shine so that others may see God's glory. This teaching challenges us to live authentically and intentionally, ensuring that our faith is not just a private conviction but a public witness that draws others to God.
Together, these readings remind us that our faith is both a gift and a responsibility. We are called to trust in God's faithfulness and to live in a way that reflects His presence in our lives. Like salt and light, we are to preserve the moral fabric of our world and to illuminate it with the truth and love of Christ. Let us ask ourselves: Am I living in a way that honors God's promises? Am I allowing His light to shine through me? May we embrace our mission as disciples, trusting in God's fidelity and striving to make a difference in the world around us.