Daily Readings - Thu Jun 19 2025
2 Corinthians
1Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.4For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.5For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.6But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.7Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?8I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.9And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.10As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.11Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
Matthew
7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11Give us this day our daily bread.12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we hear St. Paul expressing his deep concern for the Corinthians, fearing that they might be led astray by false teachings. He reminds them of his own sacrifices and dedication, emphasizing that he has not burdened them financially, relying instead on the support of other communities. Paul’s words reveal his jealousy for the Church—not out of selfishness, but out of a profound love for their spiritual well-being. He wants them to remain pure and faithful to the Gospel he preached, untainted by the cleverness of the serpent or the allure of false gospels.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the nature of prayer. He warns against the kind of prayer that relies on many words, like the pagans who think that quantity of speech will ensure they are heard. Instead, Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer, a simple yet profound model of how to approach God. He emphasizes that our Father already knows what we need before we ask, so our prayer should be one of trust, simplicity, and sincerity. The Lord’s Prayer is not just a formula but a way of life: seeking the Father’s will, asking for daily bread, and forgiving others as we seek forgiveness. Jesus makes it clear that our relationship with God is deeply tied to our relationships with others—forgiveness is not optional but essential for receiving God’s mercy.
These readings remind us of the importance of authenticity in our faith and relationships. Like Paul, we are called to be pure and steadfast in our commitment to Christ, avoiding the temptations and deceptions of the world. Like the Lord’s Prayer, our prayer life should be rooted in simplicity, trust, and a willingness to forgive. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to imitate Paul’s zeal for the Gospel and Jesus’ teachings on prayer. May our hearts remain pure, our prayers be sincere, and our lives be marked by forgiveness and love. In doing so, we will draw closer to God and reflect His truth and mercy to the world around us.