Daily Readings - Thu Jun 12 2025
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
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful truths about the transformative power of God’s Spirit and the call to live a life of radical love and reconciliation. The first reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that the Spirit of the Lord brings liberty and transfigures us into the image of Christ. St. Paul contrasts the veil that once covered the hearts of God’s people with the unveiled glory of the Lord’s face, which shines in our hearts through the Spirit. This passage invites us to gaze upon the splendor of God revealed in Christ, allowing His light to shine through us in a world often shrouded in darkness.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to live out this transformation in our daily lives. Jesus teaches that true righteousness surpasses outward observance of the law; it demands that we examine our hearts and actions. He warns against the destructive power of anger and the importance of reconciliation. If we remember that our brother has something against us while offering our gift at the altar, we are called to leave our gift and first be reconciled. This teaching emphasizes that our relationship with God is deeply intertwined with our relationships with others. We cannot worship God fully if we harbor anger or division in our hearts.
Let us reflect on how these readings apply to our lives. Are there areas where a “veil” of pride, fear, or sin prevents us from fully gazing upon God’s glory? Do we allow the Spirit to transform us, or do we cling to old ways of thinking and living? Jesus’ words remind us that true holiness is not just about avoiding sin but about actively seeking reconciliation and living in love. As we go about our day, let us ask the Spirit to shine His light into our hearts, revealing any anger or division that needs healing. May we be reconciled with God and with one another, reflecting the splendor of His love in all we do.