10th Week in Ordinary Time
14th June 2023 (Wednesday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11
Brethren: Such is the confidence that we have through Christ towards God.Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.
Psalm 99:5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (R. see 9c)
R/. You are holy, O Lord our God
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. Teach me your paths, O Lord. Guide me in your truth.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Matthew 5:17-19
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Qualified by God!
Indicative: Our destiny is to live in the kingdom of heaven in eternity. Our greatest qualification is following God’s commandments{alertSuccess}
1. There are different goals in different spheres of life. We do not discuss here the good or bad quality of those goals. Whatever their nature, every goal prescribes certain rules, conditions and procedures to follow. In other words, certain qualifications are required for achieving the desired goals.
2. For us believers, the greatest goal is to be members of the kingdom of heaven. In human terms, our striving must be to top the list, to be the “greatest” in the kingdom. It is not only to be in the kingdom later in eternity but already here and now while we live on earth.
3. The qualification for a great ranking in the kingdom is to follow the commandments faithfully. But this is not a legalistic, formal observance of laws and traditions. It is much more than that. They are not mere letters inscribed in writing, but spirit, carved on the tablets of hearts.
4. It is a matter of relationship. It is fidelity to God. It is obedience to God’s will. It is the “ministry of the Spirit”. It is the “ministry of righteousness”. It is to be faithful ministers of a new covenant.
5. And what is essential to note is: our qualification is not our acquisition or our merit or credit. Our qualification comes from God. It is God who has qualified us.
Imperative: The greatness of freedom is not ignoring or discarding the commandments. It is to fulfil them with a spirit of fidelity to God{alertSuccess}