Daily Readings for June 19, 2017

1ST READING

Nothing stopped Paul from preaching the Gospel. He was a man on a mission and like St. Paul to help us bring the Gospel to the world. Let us pray for men and women who devoted their lives to the proclamation of the Gospel. Through the intercession of St. Paul, may they be on fire to share the Good News of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

1 Brothers and sisters: As your fellow workers, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We cause no one to stumble in anything, in order that no fault may be found with our ministry; 4 on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves as ministers of God, through much endurance, in afflictions, hardships, constraints, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, vigils, fasts; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love, 7 in truthful speech, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, insult and praise. We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful; 9 as unrecognized and yet acknowledged; as dying and behold we live; as chastised and yet not put to death; 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

P S A L M

Psalm 98:1, 2, 3, 3-4

R: The Lord has made known his salvation.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 In the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R)

GOSPEL

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us to forgive and let go of the hurt so that our love for others will not be tainted with thoughts of revenge. He encourages us to love even those who have wronged us. The Psalmist tells us that vengeance belongs to God. God always forgives and the cycle of violence ends with His forgiveness.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path.

Matthew 5:38-42

38 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. 40 If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. 41 Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”