Daily Readings - Mon Jun 16 2025
2 Corinthians
1As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.2For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Matthew
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are called to reflect on the nature of discipleship and the radical love that defines our faith. The second reading from 2 Corinthians reminds us that as ministers of God, we are called to endure trials with patience and to trust in God’s providence. Paul lists the many challenges he faced—tribulations, imprisonments, hardships—but through it all, he remained steadfast in his mission, relying on the power of God and the armor of justice. This passage invites us to embrace our own crosses with courage and to see them as opportunities to grow in holiness and service to others.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to live out this radical love in a very practical way. Jesus teaches us not to resist evil but to respond with generosity and kindness. When struck on the cheek, we are to offer the other cheek; when sued for our tunic, we are to give our cloak as well. This is not a call to passivity but to a deeper form of love that seeks to transform hearts rather than simply winning arguments or protecting our rights. Jesus is showing us that true strength lies not in retaliation but in selfless giving and trust in God’s justice.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Paul and Jesus are calling us to live in a way that is counterintuitive to the world. Paul endures suffering for the sake of the Gospel, and Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. Together, they remind us that our faith is not about comfort or convenience but about living in a way that reflects God’s love and mercy. In our daily lives, this means choosing to respond to difficult situations with patience, kindness, and generosity. It means trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for us, even in the midst of trials. Let us strive to live as true disciples, embracing the challenges of our faith with courage and love, knowing that it is through these struggles that we grow closer to God and become instruments of His peace and reconciliation in the world.