Daily Readings - Wed Feb 17 2021
Joel
12Now, therefore, the Lord says: "Be converted to me with your whole heart, in fasting and weeping and mourning.13And rend your hearts, and not your garments, and convert to the Lord your God. For he is gracious and merciful, patient and full of compassion, and steadfast despite ill will14Who knows if he might convert and forgive, and bequeath a blessing after him, a sacrifice and a libation to the Lord your God15Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call an assembly16Gather the people, sanctify the church, unite the elders, gather together the little ones and infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom depart from his bed, and the bride from her bridal chamber17Between the vestibule and the altar, the priests, the ministers of the Lord, will weep, and they will say: "Spare, O Lord, spare your people. And do not bequeath your inheritance into disgrace, so that the nations would rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ 18The Lord has been zealous for his land, and he has spared his people
Matthew
1"Pay attention, lest you perform your justice before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you shall not have a reward with your Father, who is in heaven2Therefore, when you give alms, do not choose to sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the towns, so that they may be honored by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing4so that your almsgiving may be in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you5And when you pray, you should not be like the hypocrites, who love standing in the synagogues and at the corners of the streets to pray, so that they may be seen by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward6But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and having shut the door, pray to your Father in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you16And when you fast, do not choose to become gloomy, like the hypocrites. For they alter their faces, so that their fasting may be apparent to men. Amen I say to you, that they have received their reward17But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face18so that your fasting will not be apparent to men, but to your Father, who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you
Sermon
The readings today guide us on a journey of sincerity and humility in our faith. Joel calls us to repentance, urging us to turn our hearts fully to God through genuine fasting and prayer, rather than outward displays. This inward focus is echoed by Paul, who reminds us to live as true ambassadors of Christ, embracing His grace with heartfelt commitment. Jesus, in the Gospel, teaches us to practice our faith humbly, seeking God's approval rather than human praise.
These passages remind us that our faith should be a deeply personal and sincere relationship with God. Whether in prayer, fasting, or acts of charity, our focus should be on pleasing Him rather than seeking the admiration of others. The call to be ambassadors for Christ and to live as the righteousness of God is a profound reminder of our mission to embody His love and grace in the world.
In our daily lives, let us reflect on our motivations and ensure that our actions are guided by a sincere desire to honor God. By embracing humility and authenticity, we cultivate a faith that is not only genuine but also transformative. Let us strive to live in such a way that our hearts are always turned toward God, seeking His reward and approval above all else.