Daily Readings - Thu Jun 10 2021
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 grace and the call to live with integrity and compassion. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks about the veil that covers the hearts of those who do not see the truth of the Gospel. He reminds us that true freedom and transformation come from the Spirit of the Lord, who enlightens our minds and hearts to see the glory of God in the face of Christ. Paul emphasizes that our ministry is not about ourselves but about proclaiming Jesus Christ, and that the light of God’s truth shines in us despite the darkness of this world.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to go beyond the external observance of the law and to live with a deeper righteousness. He warns us against the destructive power of anger and insults, teaching that our relationship with others is just as important as our relationship with God. Jesus urges us to seek reconciliation quickly, even before offering worship, because unresolved conflicts can lead to spiritual harm. This teaching reminds us that our faith must be lived out in love and humility, not just in words or rituals.
These readings are connected by the theme of transformation and authenticity. In 2 Corinthians, the Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ, while in Matthew, Jesus calls us to transform our hearts by living out the Gospel in our relationships. Both readings remind us that our faith is not just about what we believe but about how we live. In our daily lives, we are called to let the Spirit of God shine through us, to seek reconciliation when we have wronged others, and to live with integrity and compassion. Let us ask for the grace to allow God’s light to penetrate our hearts and to live in a way that reflects the love and truth of Christ.