Daily Readings - Fri Jun 23 2023
2 Corinthians
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.
Matthew
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 are reminded of the challenges of living a life of faith and the importance of keeping our focus on what truly matters. The first reading from 2 Corinthians finds St. Paul defending his apostleship and recounting the many trials he has endured for the sake of the Gospel. He lists his sufferings—imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and countless dangers—to emphasize his unwavering commitment to Christ and the churches he serves. Paul’s words are not about boasting but about showing that his life is entirely dedicated to God, even in the face of immense hardship.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the dangers of earthly treasures and the importance of keeping our hearts focused on heaven. He warns that where our treasure is, there our heart will be. Jesus also uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body, reminding us that our spiritual vision determines the state of our soul. If our vision is corrupted by worldly desires, our entire being becomes darkened. These teachings call us to evaluate our priorities and ensure that our hearts are not consumed by materialism or fleeting comforts.
The readings today challenge us to reflect on our own lives. Are we allowing the trials and distractions of the world to pull us away from God? Like St. Paul, we are called to perseverance and faithfulness, even when the path is difficult. And like Jesus’ teachings, we must ask ourselves: Where is our treasure? Is it in the things of this world, or is it in the eternal life God promises? Let us strive to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, the true light, and our hearts rooted in the treasures that will last forever. In doing so, we will find the strength to endure life’s challenges and the clarity to live with purpose.