Daily Readings - Tue Jun 20 2017

First Reading - 2 Corinthians 8.1-9

¹And so we are making known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given in the churches of Macedonia²For within a great experience of tribulation, they have had an abundance of joy, and their profound poverty has only increased the richness of their simplicity³And I bear witness to them, that they were willing to accept what was in accord with their ability, and even what was beyond their ability⁴For they were begging us, with great exhortation, for the grace and the communication of the ministry that is with the saints⁵And this is beyond what we had hoped, since they gave themselves, first of all to the Lord, and then also to us, through the will of God⁶so much so that we petitioned Titus, that in the same manner as he had begun, he would also complete in you this same grace⁷But, just as in all things you abound in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all solicitude, and even more so in your charity toward us, so also may you abound in this grace⁸I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that through his poverty, you might become rich

Gospel - Matthew 5.43-48

Matthew

Chapter 5

⁴³You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and you shall have hatred for your enemy.⁴⁴But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you⁴⁵In this way, you shall be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. He causes his sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and he causes it to rain upon the just and the unjust⁴⁶For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way⁴⁸Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter powerful lessons on generosity and love. The First Reading from 2 Corinthians highlights the Macedonian churches' extraordinary generosity amidst poverty and tribulation. Despite their hardships, they gave abundantly, setting an example of grace and simplicity. This passage is part of Paul's efforts to collect funds for the Jerusalem church, showcasing how faith can lead to selfless giving beyond one's means. The Gospel from Matthew challenges us with Jesus' teachings on loving our enemies and striving for perfection. Jesus expands the traditional understanding of love, urging us to go beyond societal norms and embrace a higher moral standard. This is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus calls his followers to a life that reflects God's perfection through selfless love. Both readings connect in their call to transcend human limitations through divine grace. The Corinthians' generosity and Jesus' command to love enemies illustrate that true Christian living involves giving beyond our capacity, whether financially or emotionally. This trust in God's grace enables us to act with kindness and forgiveness, even in challenging situations. In our daily lives, we often face opportunities to give more than we think possible. Whether through charity, forgiveness, or kindness, we are called to trust in God's grace to empower us. The moral lesson here is that true love and generosity stem from God, urging us to imitate His perfection through selfless acts. As children of God, we are called to a higher standard, reflecting His love in all we do.