Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 21, 2019
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 11.18, 21b-30
18Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.21To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!22What anyone else dares to boast about--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I.23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
Psalm 34
1I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.2My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.3Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.4I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.6This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.8Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.9Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.10The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,13keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.14Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;16the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.18The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.19A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;20he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.21Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Gospel: Matthew 6.19-23
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect on our priorities and commitments. The first reading from 2 Corinthians finds Paul listing the hardships and sufferings he has endured for the sake of the Gospel. He speaks of numerous imprisonments, beatings, and dangers, yet he does not boast in his strength but in his weaknesses. Paul's words are a testament to his unwavering dedication to his mission and his trust in God's grace, even in the face of immense trials. This passage reminds us that true strength lies not in our own abilities but in our willingness to surrender to God's will, even when the path is difficult.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the dangers of earthly treasures and the importance of storing up treasures in heaven. He warns that our hearts will be drawn to whatever we treasure most, and if our focus is on material wealth, our hearts will be consumed by it. Jesus also emphasizes the importance of a pure heart, using the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body. If our vision is clear and our intentions are pure, our entire being will be filled with light. However, if our vision is corrupted by greed or selfishness, darkness will take hold. This teaching challenges us to examine where we place our trust and what we value most in life.
These readings are deeply connected, as both Paul and Jesus call us to reorient our lives toward spiritual priorities. Paul's willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the Gospel reflects a heart fully dedicated to heavenly treasures. Similarly, Jesus teaches us that our true wealth lies not in material possessions but in a life lived in accordance with God's will. As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: Where are we placing our trust? Are we allowing the trials of life to draw us closer to God, or are we becoming distracted by earthly concerns? May we strive to live with the kind of integrity and generosity that Paul exemplifies, trusting that our true treasure lies in heaven, where no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Let us pray for the grace to keep our hearts pure and our eyes fixed on the light of Christ.