Daily Readings - Tue Mar 02 2021
Isaiah
10Listen to the Word of the Lord, you leaders of the people of Sodom. Listen closely to the law of our God, O people of Gomorrah16Wash, become clean, take away the evil of your intentions from my eyes. Cease to act perversely17Learn to do good. Seek judgment, support the oppressed, judge for the orphan, defend the widow18And then approach and accuse me, says the Lord. Then, if your sins are like scarlet, they shall be made white like snow; and if they are red like vermillion, they shall become white like wool19If you are willing, and you listen to me, then you will eat the good things of the land20But if you are not willing, and you provoke me to anger, then the sword will devour you. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken27Zion will be redeemed in judgment, and they will lead her back to justice28And he shall crush the accursed and sinners together. And those who have abandoned the Lord will be consumed31And your strength will be like the embers from stubble, and your work will be like a spark, and both will burn together, and there will be no one to extinguish it
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 readings today offer a powerful call to integrity and humility, challenging us to reflect on how we live out our faith in both word and action. In the first reading from Isaiah, the prophet addresses the leaders of Israel, urging them to turn away from corruption and injustice. He calls them to "learn to do good" and to seek justice for the oppressed, the orphan, and the widow. Isaiah emphasizes that true repentance involves more than outward rituals; it requires a transformation of the heart and a commitment to living according to God’s will. The prophet warns that if they refuse to listen and instead continue in pride and sin, they will face judgment. Yet, he also offers hope: if they are willing to change, their sins can be purified, and they will experience redemption.
In the Gospel, Jesus critiques the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy. While they teach the law and sit in the chair of Moses, their actions do not match their words. They burden others with strict rules while failing to practice what they preach. Jesus condemns their love of power, prestige, and outward appearances, such as enlarged phylacteries and greetings in the marketplace. He reminds the disciples that true greatness is found in humility and service, not in titles or recognition. Jesus teaches that we are all brothers and sisters, and our only Master is Christ. This reading challenges us to examine our own hearts and actions, ensuring that we do not fall into the same traps of hypocrisy and pride.
Both readings are connected by their focus on the responsibility of leadership and the call to live authentically. Isaiah speaks to the leaders of Israel, urging them to act justly and humbly, while Jesus addresses the religious leaders of his time, exposing their hypocrisy. Together, they remind us that our faith must be lived out in concrete actions, especially in how we treat the vulnerable and the marginalized. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we living in integrity, aligning our actions with our words? Are we seeking to serve others rather than seeking power or recognition? May we humbly follow Christ’s example, remembering that true greatness lies in serving one another in love.