Daily Readings - Wed Jun 16 2021
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;)11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Matthew
1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true spirituality and the importance of living our faith with sincerity and generosity. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul emphasizes the value of cheerful and generous giving. He reminds us that God blesses those who give with joy and trust in His providence, promising that He will provide abundantly for those who act with such faith. This passage encourages us to approach giving—not just of material resources, but also of our time, talents, and love—with openness and gratitude, knowing that God will multiply the fruits of our efforts.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the proper way to live out our faith in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. He warns against performing these acts of piety for the sake of human recognition, as the hypocrites do. Instead, He calls us to do these things in secret, with humility and sincerity, so that our actions are seen by God alone. Jesus emphasizes that true reward comes from God, who sees what is done in secret and will repay it abundantly. This teaching challenges us to examine our motives and to ensure that our spiritual practices are rooted in a genuine relationship with God, rather than a desire for human approval.
These readings remind us that our faith is not about outward appearances but about the condition of our hearts. Whether we give, pray, or fast, the key is to do so with authenticity and trust in God’s love. Let us strive to live our faith in a way that is humble, generous, and deeply personal, knowing that God sees and rewards the sincerity of our actions. By doing so, we not only grow closer to Him but also become instruments of His grace in the lives of others.