Daily Readings - Mon Jun 16 2025
2 Corinthians
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.
Matthew
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 are called to reflect on the nature of discipleship and the radical love that defines our faith. The second reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that as ministers of God, we are called to endure trials with patience and to trust in God’s providence. Paul lists the many challenges he faced—tribulations, imprisonments, hardships—but through it all, he remained steadfast in his mission, relying on the power of God and the armor of justice. This passage invites us to embrace our own crosses with courage and to see them as opportunities to grow in holiness and service to others.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to live out this radical love in a very practical way. Jesus teaches us not to resist evil but to respond with generosity and kindness. When struck on the cheek, we are to offer the other cheek; when sued for our tunic, we are to give our cloak as well. This is not a call to passivity but to a deeper form of love that seeks to transform hearts rather than simply winning arguments or protecting our rights. Jesus is showing us that true strength lies not in retaliation but in selfless giving and trust in God’s justice.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Paul and Jesus are calling us to live in a way that is counterintuitive to the world. Paul endures suffering for the sake of the Gospel, and Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. Together, they remind us that our faith is not about comfort or convenience but about living in a way that reflects God’s love and mercy. In our daily lives, this means choosing to respond to difficult situations with patience, kindness, and generosity. It means trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for us, even in the midst of trials. Let us strive to live as true disciples, embracing the challenges of our faith with courage and love, knowing that it is through these struggles that we grow closer to God and become instruments of His peace and reconciliation in the world.