Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection June 10, 2025

13th June 2025 (Friday)

Psalter: Week 2

Readings of the Day

First Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

Brethren: We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Psalm 116:10-11, 15-16, 17-18 R.(17a)

R/. A thanksgiving sacrifice I make to you O Lord

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. You shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life

R/. Alleluia

Gospel: Matthew 5:27-32

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Friday – 10th Week in Ordinary Time

Main Point: In life, often what is lacking to many is clarity. Despite the capacity of intelligence and the light of knowledge, many are shrouded in the darkness of messing up priorities

1. Today both the readings draw our attention to a few essential aspects of our life, like gravity of sin -fragility of our human nature, on one hand, and sensitivity- susceptibility towards the reality and humility-surrender to the Lord, on the other hand

2. Sin is virulent and the evil forces are violent. Often the power of evil seems to be overpowering and the simple and faithful are at a loss and upset. It is in this context, the word of God shows us a way out.

3. Be aware of the gravity and seriousness of sin. Do not take it for granted. Sin is not fun. The gravity of sin is not so much in terms of big sin or small sin. It is a matter of persistence in good and fidelity to God.

4. In humility, we are aware that we are “jars of clay” that are fragile, into which the precious treasure of God’s grace is poured. We are weak and worthless, left to ourselves. The power entirely belongs to God.

5. This in fact is the “dialectic” of weakness but strength, powerlessness but powerfulness, afflicted but not crushed, persecuted but not forsaken, perplexed but not depressed. It cannot also be determined by the keeping or not keeping the law. It is more a matter of interior purity and a holy desire and resolve not to displease God. It is a matter of spiritual wholeness.

6. It is in this context we must understand Jesus’ words: a lustful eye is as grievous as physical adultery; divorce is abominable because it is infidelity to the marital inseparability; losing physical limbs is better than subjecting them to sin and being liable to judgment.

7. St Anthony of Padua perfectly understood this holy “paradox” of life. That is why, being conscious of human dignity and sanctity, he was cautious about the gravity of sin, and in all humility, he surrendered all his human frailty to the unbounded power of God. That is why he could be a canner of God’s mighty miracles.

My Practice: In life, often the problem is the lack of clarity of priorities. It is foolish to worry about physical fitness or wholeness, while one loses “spiritual fitness” and heavenly bliss