Daily Readings - Sat Jun 17 2017

¹⁴For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.¹⁵And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.¹⁶So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!¹⁸All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:¹⁹that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.²⁰We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.²¹God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Matthew

Chapter 5

³³"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'³⁴But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;³⁵or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.³⁶And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.³⁷Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we reflect on themes of reconciliation and authenticity. The Second Reading from 2 Corinthians emphasizes our new life in Christ, urging us to be ambassadors of reconciliation. Paul writes that through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are made new, called to live not for ourselves but for Him. This transformation is a gift from God, enabling us to see others through the lens of grace and mercy. In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus teaches about the simplicity of truth, instructing us to let our words be truthful without the need for oaths. He warns that anything beyond a simple “yes” or “no” comes from evil, highlighting the importance of integrity in our speech. These readings, though from different contexts, are deeply connected. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was written to a community grappling with division, urging them to embrace their reconciled state in Christ. Similarly, Matthew’s Gospel excerpt is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus challenges his followers to live authentically. Together, they call us to a life transformed by Christ, where our actions and words reflect His presence within us. The connection lies in the call to authenticity and reconciliation, reminding us that our faith should permeate every aspect of our lives. Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to be peacemakers and truth-tellers. As reconcilers, we should seek to heal divisions in our communities and families. In our interactions, let us strive to be people of our word, demonstrating integrity in all we say and do. This not only builds trust but also reflects the character of Christ. The moral lesson here is profound: our new life in Christ compels us to live with authenticity and compassion. May we embrace this call, allowing the love of Christ to transform us and shine through us, inspiring others to seek reconciliation and truth.