Daily Readings - Wed Jun 12 2019
2 Corinthians
4Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.5Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.6He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.7Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was,8will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?9If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!10For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.11And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
Matthew
17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the relationship between the law, the Spirit, and our Christian calling. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that our sufficiency comes not from ourselves but from God. Paul contrasts the “letter” of the law, which brings death, with the “Spirit,” which gives life. He emphasizes that the New Covenant, sealed in Christ, is far more glorious than the Old Covenant, which was engraved on stones. The Gospel from Matthew complements this by having Jesus affirm that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He stresses that every detail of the law remains in force until all is accomplished, and warns that loosening even the smallest commandment diminishes our place in the kingdom of heaven.
The context of these readings is crucial. In 2 Corinthians, Paul is defending his ministry against those who judge by outward appearances. He insists that true ministry is not about human adequacy but about the power of the Spirit. In Matthew, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and others who were focused on external observance of the law. He calls for a deeper understanding and living of the law, rooted in love and integrity. Together, these readings remind us that while the law is important, it is the Spirit that brings it to life. The law is not an end in itself but a means to guide us toward a life of love, justice, and holiness.
How do these readings apply to our daily lives? They call us to move beyond a superficial observance of rules and regulations. True faith is not about checking boxes or comparing ourselves to others; it is about living in the Spirit and allowing God’s grace to transform us. Jesus’ words remind us that even the smallest acts of faithfulness matter. In a world that often values the big and the dramatic, we are called to be faithful in the little things, trusting that these small acts of love and obedience will have a lasting impact. Let us ask ourselves: Am I living by the Spirit, or am I stuck in the letter of the law? Am I striving to fulfill the law in love, or am I tempted to loosen its demands? May we embrace the glorious freedom of the New Covenant, living as ministers of the Spirit, and may our lives reflect the greatness that comes from doing and teaching God’s will.