Daily Readings - Thu Jun 20 2019
2 Corinthians
1I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; but you are already doing that.2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.3But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.4For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.5But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those "super-apostles."6I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.7Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?8I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you.9And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.10As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine.11Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
Matthew
7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9"This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.11Give us today our daily bread.12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. '14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound lessons on faith and prayer. The first reading from 2 Corinthians finds Paul expressing his deep concern for the Corinthian community, fearing they may be swayed by false teachings. He emphasizes his commitment to them, highlighting his selfless service and refusal to be a burden, underscoring the authenticity of his apostleship. In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer, instructing them on sincere and simple prayer, contrasting it with the empty repetitions of the pagans. He also stresses the crucial role of forgiveness in prayer.
The context of these readings reveals Paul’s passionate defense of his ministry, ensuring the Corinthians remain faithful to the true Gospel amidst potential deception. His jealousy is not of selfishness but of a father’s care for his spiritual children. In Matthew, Jesus shifts the focus from the quantity of words to the quality of prayer, teaching that true prayer is heartfelt and trusting in God’s providence. The emphasis on forgiveness ties both readings together, illustrating that genuine faith is lived out in both our relationship with God and our interactions with others.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are reminded to stay vigilant in our faith, mindful of influences that could lead us astray. Our prayers should be sincere, not merely recitations, and forgiveness should be a cornerstone of our relationships. The moral lesson here is the importance of authenticity and forgiveness. Like Paul, we should embody our faith through selfless actions, and like Jesus taught, our prayers should reflect a genuine connection with God, always seeking to forgive and be forgiven.