Daily Readings - Thu Jun 13 2019
2 Corinthians
15Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
1Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Matthew
20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, 'is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of God’s Spirit and the call to live out our faith in love and reconciliation. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the veil that once covered the hearts of God’s people, a veil that is lifted when we turn to the Lord. He reminds us that the Spirit of the Lord brings freedom and transfigures us into the image of Christ. This transformation is not just an inward reality but also a call to mission. Paul emphasizes that we are servants of the Gospel, entrusted with the ministry of illuminating the splendor of God in the face of Christ Jesus. The light of the Gospel, however, can be obscured for those who are perishing, and it is our responsibility to live in such a way that this light shines through us.
In the Gospel, Matthew 5:20-26, Jesus teaches us that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. He deepens the commandment against murder by condemning anger and hurtful speech. Jesus makes it clear that our relationship with God is inseparable from our relationships with one another. If we remember that our brother or sister has something against us while we are offering our gift at the altar, we must first seek reconciliation. This teaching underscores the importance of living in love and harmony with others. Jesus warns us to reconcile quickly with our adversaries, lest we face the consequences of unresolved conflict. This is not just a practical advice but a spiritual imperative: our worship and our witness are hollow if we do not live in peace with one another.
These readings remind us that our faith is not merely a set of beliefs but a way of life. The Spirit of the Lord transforms us, but this transformation must bear fruit in our actions. We are called to be light in a world that often prefers darkness, and this light is most visible when we love and forgive as Christ has loved and forgiven us. Let us ask ourselves: Are there relationships in my life that need healing? Am I allowing the Spirit to shine through me in my interactions with others? May we seek reconciliation where there is division and may we reflect the splendor of God in all that we do.