Bible Readings - June 9, 2025

Reading I

2 Corinthians 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement,

who encourages us in our every affliction,

so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction

with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.

For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us,

so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow.

If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation;

if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement,

which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings,

you also share in the encouragement.

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers,

of the affliction that came to us in the province of Asia;

we were utterly weighed down beyond our strength,

so that we despaired even of life.

Indeed, we had accepted within ourselves the sentence of death,

that we might trust not in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

Gospel

Matthew 5:1-12

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,

and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.