Daily Readings - Thu Jun 12 2025
2 Corinthians
15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Matthew
20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful truths about the transformative power of God’s Spirit and the call to live a life of radical love and reconciliation. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that the Spirit of the Lord brings liberty and transfigures us into the image of Christ. St. Paul contrasts the veil that once covered the hearts of God’s people with the unveiled glory of the Lord’s face, which shines in our hearts through the Spirit. This passage invites us to gaze upon the splendor of God revealed in Christ, allowing His light to shine through us in a world often shrouded in darkness.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to live out this transformation in our daily lives. Jesus teaches that true righteousness surpasses outward observance of the law; it demands that we examine our hearts and actions. He warns against the destructive power of anger and the importance of reconciliation. If we remember that our brother has something against us while offering our gift at the altar, we are called to leave our gift and first be reconciled. This teaching emphasizes that our relationship with God is deeply intertwined with our relationships with others. We cannot worship God fully if we harbor anger or division in our hearts.
Let us reflect on how these readings apply to our lives. Are there areas where a “veil” of pride, fear, or sin prevents us from fully gazing upon God’s glory? Do we allow the Spirit to transform us, or do we cling to old ways of thinking and living? Jesus’ words remind us that true holiness is not just about avoiding sin but about actively seeking reconciliation and living in love. As we go about our day, let us ask the Spirit to shine His light into our hearts, revealing any anger or division that needs healing. May we be reconciled with God and with one another, reflecting the splendor of His love in all we do.