Daily Readings - Thu Jul 25 2024
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
In today’s readings, we encounter profound lessons on faith, humility, and service. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that our weaknesses and struggles are not obstacles but opportunities for God’s power to shine through. Paul writes about holding a great treasure in earthen vessels, emphasizing that our frailty allows God’s strength to be revealed. This passage invites us to embrace our vulnerabilities, knowing that they are a means for God to work through us, even in the midst of tribulation.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges our understanding of greatness and leadership. When the mother of James and John asks for places of honor for her sons, Jesus responds by teaching that true greatness is found in service, not in power or status. He contrasts the worldly model of leadership, where the powerful dominate, with the Christian model, where the greatest among us are those who serve others. This teaching is both a call to humility and a reminder that our lives should reflect the self-giving love of Christ, who came “not to be served, but to serve.”
These readings are deeply connected. Both emphasize that our lives as Christians are not about seeking glory or comfort but about embracing sacrifice and service. In 2 Corinthians, Paul shows that our struggles are opportunities for God’s life to shine through us. In Matthew, Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in humility and service. Together, they call us to reorient our lives away from self-interest and toward the needs of others. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How can we embrace our weaknesses as a way to rely more on God? How can we serve others in our daily lives? May we find the courage to live out the paradox of Christian greatness, where true strength is found in humility and love.