Daily Readings - Sat Aug 25 2018
Ezekiel
1And he led me to the gate which looked toward the way of the east2And behold, the glory of the God of Israel entered along the way of the east. And his voice was like the voice of many waters. And the earth was resplendent before his majesty3And I saw a vision in accord with the form that I had seen when he arrived so that he might destroy the city. And the form was in accord with the sight that I had seen beside the river Chebar. And I fell upon my face4And the majesty of the Lord advanced into the temple, along the way of the gate which looked toward the east5And the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court. And behold, the house was filled with the glory of the Lord6And I heard someone speaking to me from the house, and the man who was standing beside m7said to me: "Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the steps of my feet, is where I live: in the midst of the sons of Israel forever. And the house of Israel, they and their kings, shall no longer defile my holy name by their fornications, and by the ruinous ways of their kings, and by exalted places
Matthew
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 first reading from Ezekiel paints a vivid scene of the divine glory returning to the temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel, a prophet in exile, is given a vision of God’s presence reentering the temple from the east, symbolizing hope and restoration for the people of Israel. This vision comes after a time of great turmoil and sin, where the Israelites had turned away from God. Ezekiel’s prophecy emphasizes God’s desire to dwell among His people, but it also serves as a call to repentance and a reminder that true worship must be pure and untainted by sin. The temple, as the dwelling place of God, is not just a physical structure but a symbol of God’s covenant with His people.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the crowds and His disciples, critiquing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. While these religious leaders outwardly appear devout, their actions do not match their words. They burden others with strict rules while failing to live by them themselves. Jesus condemns their love for power, prestige, and recognition, urging His followers to embrace humility instead. The passage reminds us that true faith is not about outward appearances or titles but about living with integrity and serving others. Jesus emphasizes that there is only one true Teacher, Father, and Master—God Himself—and that our relationship with Him should be rooted in humility and sincerity.
Both readings call us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and our relationship with God. Ezekiel’s vision reminds us of God’s desire to be present in our lives, but it also challenges us to purify our hearts and actions. Jesus’ teachings warn us against hypocrisy and the temptation to seek recognition or power. Together, these readings invite us to live with humility, sincerity, and a deep commitment to following God’s will. In our daily lives, we are called to avoid the traps of self-importance and instead focus on serving others and living in a way that reflects God’s love and truth. Let us strive to be people of integrity, whose words and actions align with our faith, and whose hearts are humble and open to God’s presence.