Daily Readings - Tue Jun 08 2021
2 Corinthians
18But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No."19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes."20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.21Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,22set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Matthew
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the profound trust we place in God and the vital role we play as His people in the world. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul reassures the Corinthians of God's unwavering faithfulness. He emphasizes that all of God's promises are fulfilled in Christ, who is the ultimate "Yes" to His people. Paul also highlights the anointing and sealing of the Holy Spirit, which marks us as God's own and equips us for our mission. This passage invites us to trust in God's reliability and to live with confidence in His plan for us.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the imagery of salt and light to describe the transformative impact His followers should have on the world. Salt, when it loses its flavor, becomes useless, just as a light hidden under a basket fails to illuminate. Jesus calls us to be visible and effective in our faith, letting our good works shine so that others may see God's glory. This teaching challenges us to live authentically and intentionally, ensuring that our faith is not just a private conviction but a public witness that draws others to God.
Together, these readings remind us that our faith is both a gift and a responsibility. We are called to trust in God's faithfulness and to live in a way that reflects His presence in our lives. Like salt and light, we are to preserve the moral fabric of our world and to illuminate it with the truth and love of Christ. Let us ask ourselves: Am I living in a way that honors God's promises? Am I allowing His light to shine through me? May we embrace our mission as disciples, trusting in God's fidelity and striving to make a difference in the world around us.