Daily Readings - Fri Jun 23 2023
2 Corinthians
18Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.21I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.22Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.28Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.29Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?30If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
Matthew
19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the challenges of living a life of faith and the importance of keeping our focus on what truly matters. The first reading from 2 Corinthians finds St. Paul defending his apostleship and recounting the many trials he has endured for the sake of the Gospel. He lists his sufferings—imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and countless dangers—to emphasize his unwavering commitment to Christ and the churches he serves. Paul’s words are not about boasting but about showing that his life is entirely dedicated to God, even in the face of immense hardship.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the dangers of earthly treasures and the importance of keeping our hearts focused on heaven. He warns that where our treasure is, there our heart will be. Jesus also uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body, reminding us that our spiritual vision determines the state of our soul. If our vision is corrupted by worldly desires, our entire being becomes darkened. These teachings call us to evaluate our priorities and ensure that our hearts are not consumed by materialism or fleeting comforts.
The readings today challenge us to reflect on our own lives. Are we allowing the trials and distractions of the world to pull us away from God? Like St. Paul, we are called to perseverance and faithfulness, even when the path is difficult. And like Jesus’ teachings, we must ask ourselves: Where is our treasure? Is it in the things of this world, or is it in the eternal life God promises? Let us strive to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, the true light, and our hearts rooted in the treasures that will last forever. In doing so, we will find the strength to endure life’s challenges and the clarity to live with purpose.