Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 15, 2019
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 5.14-21
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.
Psalm 103
1Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:8The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;14for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;16the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.17But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-18with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.19The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.20Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.21Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.22Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Gospel: Matthew 5.33-37
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 explore profound teachings from 2 Corinthians and Matthew, both guiding us toward a life of authenticity and reconciliation. The passage from 2 Corinthians emphasizes our new identity in Christ, urging us to live as ambassadors of reconciliation, entrusted with the mission of restoring relationships between God and humanity. This is rooted in the belief that Christ's death and resurrection have transformed us, making us new creations. The Gospel from Matthew complements this by highlighting the importance of integrity in our speech, as Jesus teaches us to avoid oaths and instead let our "Yes" mean "Yes" and our "No" mean "No." This teaching underscores the value of truthfulness and simplicity in our interactions.
These readings, while distinct, are interconnected in their call to authentic living. In 2 Corinthians, Paul's focus is on the transformative power of Christ, urging believers to embrace their role in reconciling others to God. This transformation is not just internal but also external, manifesting in how we live and interact. Matthew's teaching on honesty ties into this by illustrating that our words and actions are integral to living out our faith. By being truthful and reliable, we reflect the character of Christ, fostering trust and reconciliation in our relationships.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are reminded to approach each interaction with honesty and integrity. Whether in personal relationships, professional dealings, or community engagements, our commitment to truthfulness and simplicity in speech is a form of reconciliation. It builds trust and fosters understanding, reflecting our identity as new creations in Christ. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us strive to be ambassadors of reconciliation, not just in grand gestures, but in the everyday moments where our words and actions can bring healing and unity.
The moral lesson here is clear: our faith is not just about belief but about how we live and interact. By embracing honesty and integrity, we embody the love and truth of Christ, contributing to a world in need of reconciliation. Let us prayerfully consider how we can live out this calling, allowing the transformative power of Christ to shine through us in every word and deed.