Daily Readings - Wed Jun 18 2025
2 Corinthians
6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:9As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Matthew
1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Sermon
In today’s readings, St. Paul and Jesus both invite us to reflect on the motivations behind our actions, particularly in matters of faith and charity. In the second reading from 2 Corinthians, Paul emphasizes the importance of generous and cheerful giving. He reminds us that God blesses those who give with a willing heart, not out of obligation or sadness. This passage encourages us to trust in God’s providence, knowing that He will abundantly provide for our needs when we act with generosity and gratitude.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns against performing acts of piety—such as almsgiving, prayer, and fasting—solely for the sake of appearances. He condemns hypocrisy, where individuals seek praise from others rather than pleasing God. Jesus calls us to sincerity and humility, urging us to perform these acts in secret, where only God can see. By doing so, we ensure that our actions are motivated by a genuine love for God and a desire to grow closer to Him, rather than by the desire for human approval.
These readings remind us that our faith must be rooted in sincerity and humility. Whether we are giving, praying, or fasting, our focus should always be on pleasing God rather than impressing others. Let us examine our own motivations and strive to act with the kind of authenticity that Jesus and Paul describe. When we do so, we open ourselves to God’s grace and allow our actions to bear fruit that lasts.