Daily Readings - Wed Jun 14 2023
2 Corinthians
4And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
Matthew
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the transition from the old covenant to the new, highlighting the role of the Spirit and the fulfillment of the law. The first reading from 2 Corinthians emphasizes that our adequacy comes from God, contrasting the old covenant's ministration of death with the new covenant's life-giving Spirit. Paul underscores the temporary glory of the old covenant, which pales in comparison to the lasting glory of the new, brought by the Spirit.
The Gospel from Matthew finds Jesus affirming the enduring importance of the law, clarifying that He did not come to abolish it but to fulfill it. He warns against loosening even the smallest commandment, stressing the significance of adhering to and teaching the law. This passage, part of the Sermon on the Mount, illustrates Jesus' role in bringing the law to its fullness, rooted in love and mercy.
Both readings converge on the theme of fulfillment and transformation. The new covenant, through the Spirit, doesn't discard the old but elevates it, much like Jesus fulfills the law by living it out in love. This invites us to trust in God's grace and live guided by the Spirit, understanding that our actions and teachings should reflect this fulfilled law. In daily life, this means embodying love and mercy, recognizing that our strength and guidance come from God. Let us embrace this transformation, living as ministers of the new covenant, where the Spirit leads us to greatness in the kingdom of heaven.