Daily Readings - Sat Aug 22 2020
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and the nature of true leadership. Ezekiel's vision in Ezekiel 43:1-7a depicts the return of God's glory to the temple, a symbol of divine presence and restoration. This vision emphasizes God's desire to dwell among His people, calling them to live in holiness and avoid defiling His name. The context of this passage is one of hope and renewal, offering a glimpse into a future where God's presence is once again central to His people's lives.
In the Gospel, Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus critiques the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy. He distinguishes between their teachings, which should be followed, and their actions, which often prioritize appearance over true faith. Jesus condemns their love for recognition and titles, urging His followers to embrace humility. The context here is a call to authentic leadership, where service and humility are valued over status and power.
Both readings connect through their emphasis on authenticity and humility. Ezekiel's vision calls for a genuine return to God, while Jesus' teachings warn against superficial faith. Together, they remind us that true faith is not about outward appearances but about living with integrity and serving others humbly.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to examine our own practices. Are we focused on outward signs of faith, or are we cultivating a deep, authentic relationship with God? Do we seek recognition, or do we serve others with humility? The moral lesson here is clear: genuine faith and humble service are the hallmarks of a life that reflects God's presence. As we strive to live with integrity and humility, we embody the teachings of Ezekiel and Jesus, allowing God's glory to shine through us.