Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 26, 2020
First Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3.6-10, 16-18
6But we strongly caution you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to draw yourselves away from every brother who is walking in disorder and not according to the tradition that they received from us7For you yourselves know the manner in which you ought to imitate us. For we were not disorderly among you8Nor did we eat bread from anyone for free, but rather, we worked night and day, in hardship and weariness, so as not to be burdensome to you9It was not as if we had no authority, but this was so that we might present ourselves as an example to you, in order to imitate us10Then, too, while we were with you, we insisted on this to you: that if anyone was not willing to work, neither should he eat16Then may the Lord of peace himself give you an everlasting peace, in every place. May the Lord be with all of you17The greeting of Paul with my own hand, which is the seal in every epistle. So do I write18May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen
Psalm 128
1A Canticle in steps. Blessed are all those who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways2For you will eat by the labors of your hands. Blessed are you, and it will be well with you3Your wife is like an abundant vine on the sides of your house. Your sons are like young olive trees surrounding your table4Behold, so will the man be blessed who fears the Lord5May the Lord bless you from Zion, and may you see the good things of Jerusalem, all the days of your life6And may you see the sons of your sons. Peace be upon Israel
Gospel: Matthew 23.27-32
27Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed sepulchers, which outwardly appear brilliant to men, yet truly, inside, they are filled with the bones of the dead and with all filth28So also, you certainly appear to men outwardly to be just. But inwardly you are filled with hypocrisy and iniquity29Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites, who build the sepulchers of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the just30And then you say, ‘If we had been there in the days of our fathers, we would not have joined with them in the blood of the prophets.31And so you are witnesses against yourselves, that you are the sons of those who killed the prophets32Complete, then, the measure of your fathers
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of living authentically and with integrity. The first reading from 2 Thessalonians encourages believers to lead disciplined lives, working diligently and avoiding idleness. Paul emphasizes the importance of setting a good example and earning one’s keep, highlighting the value of self-sufficiency and community responsibility. The Gospel, from Matthew, presents a stark contrast as Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He likened them to whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled with decay within. This critique underscores the danger of prioritizing outward appearances over inner righteousness.
The context of these readings reveals their relevance. Paul’s letter addressed a community that may have been waiting passively for the Second Coming, urging them to remain productive and responsible. Jesus’ words, part of his broader condemnation of the Pharisees, highlight the tension between outward piety and inward corruption. Together, these readings emphasize the need for authenticity in faith, urging us to align our actions with our beliefs.
Reflecting on these teachings, we are called to examine our own lives. Do our actions reflect our faith, or do we merely go through the motions? Jesus’ condemnation of hypocrisy serves as a reminder to cultivate sincerity in our hearts and actions. True faith is not about appearances but about living with integrity. Let us strive to be authentic followers of Christ, ensuring our inner lives match our outward devotion, thus embodying the moral lesson of integrity and sincerity.