Daily Readings - Tue Aug 28 2018

¹But we ask you, brothers, concerning the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our gathering to him²that you not be readily disturbed or terrified in your minds, by any spirit, or word, or epistle, supposedly sent from us, claiming that the day of the Lord is close by³Let no one deceive you in any way. For this cannot be, unless the apostasy will have arrived first, and the man of sin will have been revealed, the son of perdition¹⁴He has also called you into truth through our Gospel, unto the acquisition of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ¹⁵And so, brothers, stand firm, and hold to the traditions that you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle¹⁶So may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who has loved us and who has given us an everlasting consolation and good hope in grace¹⁷exhort your hearts and confirm you in every good word and deed

Matthew

Chapter 23

²³Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you collect tithes on mint and dill and cumin, but you have abandoned the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, while not omitting the others²⁴You blind guides, straining out a gnat, while swallowing a camel²⁵Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you clean what is outside the cup and the dish, but on the inside you are full of avarice and impurity²⁶You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the dish, and then what is outside becomes clean

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of authenticity and steadfastness in our faith. The first reading from 2 Thessalonians cautions us against being deceived by false claims and encourages us to stand firm in the traditions of our faith. It emphasizes the need for resilience and trust in God’s plan, especially when faced with confusion or false teachings. The context of this passage is likely a time of confusion in the early church, where believers were concerned about the timing of Christ’s return. Paul reassures them that they must remain steadfast and not be swayed by false information. The Gospel from Matthew complements this message by highlighting the importance of inner purity over outward appearances. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, pointing out that while they meticulously observe minor rituals, they neglect the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith. He uses the metaphor of cleaning the inside of the cup before the outside, emphasizing that true righteousness comes from within. This passage serves as a reminder to examine our own lives and ensure that our actions align with our faith, rather than just going through the motions. Together, these readings call us to live authentically and with integrity. In our daily lives, it’s easy to get caught up in superficial details and lose sight of what truly matters. We are encouraged to focus on justice, mercy, and faith, and to ensure that our inner lives reflect the values we profess outwardly. Let us take a moment to reflect on our own lives and ask ourselves: Are we standing firm in our faith? Are we living with sincerity and integrity? May we strive to be people of true faith, living out our beliefs in every aspect of our lives.