Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 14, 2025
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 5.14-21
14For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Psalm 103
1Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:8The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;14for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;16the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.17But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-18with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.19The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.20Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.21Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.22Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Gospel: Matthew 5.33-37
33"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of transformation and authenticity through our faith. The first reading from 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 highlights the profound impact of Christ's death and resurrection. Paul emphasizes that we are no longer the same, for we have been reconciled to God through Christ. This reconciliation transforms us into new creations, ambassadors of God's love and reconciliation. Our lives should now reflect this newness, living not for ourselves but for Christ, who has made us righteous through His sacrifice.
In the Gospel, Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus teaches us about the importance of honesty and simplicity in our speech. He instructs us to avoid swearing oaths and instead let our words be truthful and straightforward. This teaching is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus interprets the Law in a way that calls for a deeper integrity. Our "Yes" should mean "Yes," and our "No" should mean "No," reflecting the authenticity of our character.
These readings connect in their call to live out our faith authentically. In Corinthians, we are ambassadors of reconciliation, while in Matthew, we are called to truthful living. Together, they remind us that our faith should permeate every aspect of our lives, including our interactions with others. Practically, this means avoiding deceit, keeping our promises, and ensuring our words and actions align with our beliefs.
The moral lesson here is one of integrity and authenticity. As new creations in Christ, we are called to live in a way that reflects God's truth and love. Our transformed lives should be evident in how we speak and act, serving as a testament to the reconciliation we have through Christ. Let us strive to live authentically, embodying the truth and love of God in all we do.