June 16, 2015

Reading

Second Corinthians   8: 1- 9

8:1 And so we are making known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given in the churches of Macedonia.

8:2 For within a great experience of tribulation, they have had an abundance of joy, and their profound poverty has only increased the richness of their simplicity.

8:3 And I bear witness to them, that they were willing to accept what was in accord with their ability, and even what was beyond their ability.

8:4 For they were begging us, with great exhortation, for the grace and the communication of the ministry that is with the saints.

8:5 And 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 God,

8:6 so much so that we petitioned Titus, that in the same manner as he had begun, he would also complete in you this same grace.

8:7 But, 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 grace.

8:8 I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity.

8:9 For 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

The Holy Gospel According Matthew      5: 43-48

5:43	You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and you shall have hatred for your enemy.’
5:44	But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you.
5:45	In 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 unjust.
5:46	For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way?
5:47	And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way?
5:48	Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.”