Daily Readings - Tue Jun 17 2025
2 Corinthians
1Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;4Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.6Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.7Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.8I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Matthew
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the transformative power of love and generosity. The First Reading from 2 Corinthians highlights the extraordinary example of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their poverty and trials, overflowed with joy and generosity. Their willingness to give beyond their means was a testament to their deep faith and trust in God’s providence. This passage reminds us that true wealth is not measured by material possessions but by the richness of our hearts. The Macedonians’ selfless giving was not just about meeting a need but about participating in the grace of God, who became poor for our sake so that we might become rich.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to embrace a radical form of love—one that goes beyond loving only those who love us. Jesus calls us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and greet all people with kindness. This is not the way of the world but the way of the Kingdom of God. Just as the sun rises and the rain falls on both the good and the bad, our love should be universal, reflecting the boundless love of our heavenly Father. Jesus’ teaching pushes us beyond our comfort zones, urging us to imitate God’s perfection in our relationships with others.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both call us to live beyond ourselves. The Macedonians’ generosity and Jesus’ command to love our enemies remind us that Christian living is not about comfort or convenience but about surrendering to God’s will and trusting in his grace. In our daily lives, we are invited to examine how we respond to challenges, whether it’s giving to those in need or loving those who may not deserve it. Let us ask ourselves: Do we allow God’s grace to transform us, or do we remain stuck in our own limitations? May we, like the Macedonians, find joy in giving and, like Jesus, love without boundaries. In doing so, we become true children of our Father in heaven, who is perfect in love.