Daily Readings - Tue Feb 27 2018

First Reading - Isaiah 1.10, 16-20, 27-28, 31

¹⁰Listen to the Word of the Lord, you leaders of the people of Sodom. Listen closely to the law of our God, O people of Gomorrah¹⁶Wash, become clean, take away the evil of your intentions from my eyes. Cease to act perversely¹⁷Learn to do good. Seek judgment, support the oppressed, judge for the orphan, defend the widow¹⁸And then approach and accuse me, says the Lord. Then, if your sins are like scarlet, they shall be made white like snow; and if they are red like vermillion, they shall become white like wool¹⁹If you are willing, and you listen to me, then you will eat the good things of the land²⁰But if you are not willing, and you provoke me to anger, then the sword will devour you. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken²⁷Zion will be redeemed in judgment, and they will lead her back to justice²⁸And he shall crush the accursed and sinners together. And those who have abandoned the Lord will be consumed³¹And your strength will be like the embers from stubble, and your work will be like a spark, and both will burn together, and there will be no one to extinguish it

Gospel - Matthew 23.1-12

Matthew

Chapter 23

¹Then Jesus spoke to the crowds, and to his disciples²saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees have sat down in the chair of Moses³Therefore, all things whatsoever that they shall say to you, observe and do. Yet truly, do not choose to act according to their works. For they say, but they do not do⁴For they bind up heavy and unbearable burdens, and they impose them on men’s shoulders. But they are not willing to move them with even a finger of their own⁵Truly, they do all their works so that they may be seen by men. For they enlarge their phylacteries and glorify their hems⁶And they love the first places at feasts, and the first chairs in the synagogues⁷and greetings in the marketplace, and to be called Master by men⁸But you must not be called Master. For One is your Master, and you are all brothers⁹And do not choose to call anyone on earth your father. For One is your Father, who is in heaven¹⁰Neither should you be called teachers. For One is your Teacher, the Christ¹¹Whoever is greater among you shall be your minister¹²But whoever has exalted himself, shall be humbled. And whoever has humbled himself, shall be exalted

Sermon

The readings today offer a powerful call to authenticity and humility in our relationship with God and with others. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a prophetic call to repentance, urging the people to turn away from their sinful ways and seek justice, especially on behalf of the oppressed. Isaiah emphasizes that true conversion is not just about outward rituals but about a change of heart, leading to actions that reflect God’s justice and mercy. The prophet’s words are both a warning and an invitation, reminding us that our sins can be forgiven if we are willing to listen and change our ways. In the Gospel, Jesus continues this theme by criticizing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He points out that while they teach the law, they fail to live it out in their own lives. They are more concerned with appearances—seeking praise and recognition—than with serving others. Jesus reminds us that true greatness is not found in titles or status but in humility and service. He calls us to follow his example, recognizing that we are all brothers and sisters, and that our ultimate Teacher and Father is God. These readings challenge us to reflect on our own lives. Are we living with integrity, or are we more focused on appearances? Do we serve others, or do we seek recognition and praise? Isaiah and Jesus both call us to a deeper authenticity, rooted in humility and a commitment to justice. Let us ask ourselves: Am I willing to listen to God’s voice and change my ways? Am I living in a way that reflects the love and mercy of Christ? May we strive to be people of true faith, not just in word, but in action, seeking to serve rather than be served, and to exalt God above all else.