Daily Readings - Tue Jun 17 2025
2 Corinthians
1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.6So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.7But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Matthew
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the transformative power of love and generosity. The First Reading from 2 Corinthians highlights the extraordinary example of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their poverty and trials, overflowed with joy and generosity. Their willingness to give beyond their means was a testament to their deep faith and trust in God’s providence. This passage reminds us that true wealth is not measured by material possessions but by the richness of our hearts. The Macedonians’ selfless giving was not just about meeting a need but about participating in the grace of God, who became poor for our sake so that we might become rich.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to embrace a radical form of love—one that goes beyond loving only those who love us. Jesus calls us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and greet all people with kindness. This is not the way of the world but the way of the Kingdom of God. Just as the sun rises and the rain falls on both the good and the bad, our love should be universal, reflecting the boundless love of our heavenly Father. Jesus’ teaching pushes us beyond our comfort zones, urging us to imitate God’s perfection in our relationships with others.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both call us to live beyond ourselves. The Macedonians’ generosity and Jesus’ command to love our enemies remind us that Christian living is not about comfort or convenience but about surrendering to God’s will and trusting in his grace. In our daily lives, we are invited to examine how we respond to challenges, whether it’s giving to those in need or loving those who may not deserve it. Let us ask ourselves: Do we allow God’s grace to transform us, or do we remain stuck in our own limitations? May we, like the Macedonians, find joy in giving and, like Jesus, love without boundaries. In doing so, we become true children of our Father in heaven, who is perfect in love.