Daily Readings - Mon Jul 16 2018

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 Gomorrah¹¹The multitude of your sacrifices, what is that to me, says the Lord? I am full. I do not desire holocausts of rams, nor the fat of fatlings, nor the blood of calves and of lambs and of he-goats¹²When you approach before my sight, who is it that requires these things from your hands, so that you would walk in my courts¹³You should no longer offer sacrifice in vain. Incense is an abomination to me. The new moons and the Sabbaths and the other feast days, I will not receive. Your gatherings are iniquitous¹⁴My soul hates your days of proclamation and your solemnities. They have become bothersome to me. I labor to endure them¹⁵And so, when you extend your hands, I will avert my eyes from you. And when you multiply your prayers, I will not heed you. For your hands are full of blood¹⁶Wash, 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 widow

Matthew

Chapter 10

³⁴Do not think that I came to send peace upon the earth. I came, not to send peace, but the sword³⁵For I came to divide a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law³⁶And the enemies of a man will be those of his own household³⁷Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever loves son or daughter above me is not worthy of me³⁸And whoever does not take up his cross, and follow me is not worthy of me³⁹Whoever finds his life, will lose it. And whoever will have lost his life because of me, shall find it⁴⁰Whoever receives you, receives me. And whoever receives me, receives him who sent me⁴¹Whoever receives a prophet, in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet. And whoever receives the just in the name of the just shall receive the reward of the just⁴²And whoever shall give, even to one of the least of these, a cup of cold water to drink, solely in the name of a disciple: Amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.

Chapter 11

¹And it happened that, when Jesus had completed instructing his twelve disciples, he went away from there in order to teach and to preach in their cities

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter a powerful message about the essence of true faith and discipleship. The first reading from Isaiah 1:10-17 confronts us with a stark reality: outward acts of worship, such as sacrifices and rituals, are meaningless if they are not accompanied by a life of justice and compassion. Isaiah speaks on behalf of God, rejecting the empty rituals of a people whose lives are marked by oppression and injustice. God calls them to true worship, which involves seeking justice, defending the vulnerable, and living with integrity. The Gospel reading from Matthew 10:34–11:1 presents a similar challenge. Jesus speaks of the cost of discipleship, emphasizing that following Him may require sacrifice and even division. He calls us to love Him above all else and to take up our cross, embracing the challenges of living according to His teachings. Jesus also highlights the importance of small acts of kindness, such as giving a cup of water to those in need, as a reflection of our commitment to Him. This teaching reminds us that faith is not just about grand gestures but also about the everyday choices we make to live out His love. Both readings remind us that true faith is not about outward appearances or empty rituals but about living a life that reflects God’s heart. Isaiah calls us to move beyond superficial religion to a life of justice and compassion, while Jesus challenges us to embrace the difficult yet transformative path of discipleship. In our daily lives, this means examining how we live out our faith. Are we merely going through the motions, or are we actively seeking to love, serve, and stand up for what is right? Let us remember that true worship and discipleship require us to act with integrity, kindness, and courage, reflecting God’s love in all we do.