Daily Readings - Tue Jul 25 2023
2 Corinthians
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Matthew
20Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.21"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."22"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?We can," they answered.23Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."24When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.25Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of power, service, and the Christian life. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul reminds us that we are but earthen vessels, fragile and weak, yet it is precisely through our vulnerabilities that God’s power is revealed. He speaks of enduring tribulations and carrying the mortification of Jesus in our bodies, so that the life of Jesus may shine through us. This passage emphasizes that our struggles and weaknesses are not obstacles but opportunities for God to work through us.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents a striking lesson on true greatness. The mother of James and John asks Jesus for positions of power for her sons, but Jesus responds by teaching the disciples that leadership in the Kingdom of God is not about ruling but serving. He contrasts the worldly model of power, where the strong dominate the weak, with the Christian model, where the greatest among us are those who serve others. Jesus himself is the ultimate example, for he came not to be served but to serve, even to the point of giving his life as a ransom for many.
These readings are deeply connected. Both remind us that the Christian life is one of self-emptying and surrender. Paul’s emphasis on carrying the cross of Christ in our bodies aligns with Jesus’ call to follow him in humility and service. In a world that often values power and status, these readings challenge us to reorient our lives toward the values of the Kingdom: humility, service, and trust in God’s providence. Let us ask ourselves: Where am I seeking power or recognition in my life? How can I imitate Christ by serving others? May we embrace our weaknesses and use them as opportunities to let God’s light shine through us, remembering that true greatness lies in loving and serving others.