Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 19, 2023
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 6.1-10
1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.2For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)3Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:4But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,5In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;6By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,7By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,8By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;9As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;10As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Psalm 98
1O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.2The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.3He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.4Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.5Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.6With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.7Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.8Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together9Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Gospel: Matthew 5.38-42
38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in living out our Christian faith. The first reading from 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Paul urges the Corinthians to embrace the grace of God fully and to endure hardships with patience and love. He emphasizes the importance of living as ministers of God, even in the face of tribulation, by maintaining chastity, knowledge, and longsuffering. This passage is set in the context of Paul's correspondence with the Corinthian church, addressing their challenges and encouraging faithfulness.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 5:38-42 is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He teaches about the ethics of the Kingdom of God. Jesus challenges His followers to move beyond the law of retaliation, advocating for non-resistance and generosity. He instructs them to offer the other cheek, give more than required, and lend without hesitation. This teaching emphasizes responding to evil with kindness and love.
Together, these readings connect by highlighting the Christian life as one of endurance and active love. Paul's endurance in hardship and Jesus' call to radical love show us that faith involves both perseverance and compassionate action. Applying this to daily life, we are called to face challenges with patience and to respond to others with generosity and kindness, trusting in God's providence.
The moral lesson here is clear: our faith should be lived out in grace, endurance, and love. We are to trust in God's plan, endure trials with patience, and actively choose to love and give, even when it is difficult. This way of life reflects the heart of Christian living, guiding us to embody the love and endurance taught by Paul and Jesus.