Daily Readings - Mon Aug 23 2021
1 Thessalonians
1Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ2Grace and peace to you. We give thanks to God always for all of you, keeping the memory of you in our prayers without ceasing3remembering your work of faith, and hardship, and charity, and enduring hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ, before God our Father4For we know, brothers, beloved of God, of your election5For our Gospel has not been among you in word alone, but also in virtue, and in the Holy Spirit, and with a great fullness, in the same manner as you know we have acted among you for your sake8For from you, the Word of the Lord was spread, not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith, which is toward God, has advanced so much so that we do not need to speak to you about anything9For others are reporting among us of the kind of acceptance we had among you, and how you were converted from idols to God, to the service of the living and true God10and to the expectation of his Son from heaven (whom he raised up from the dead), Jesus, who has rescued us from the approaching wrath
Matthew
13So then: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you close the kingdom of heaven before men. For you yourselves do not enter, and those who are entering, you would not permit to enter14Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you consume the houses of widows, praying long prayers. Because of this, you shall receive the greater judgment15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and by land, in order to make one convert. And when he has been converted, you make him twice the son of Hell that you are yourselves16Woe to you, blind guides, who say: ‘Whoever will have sworn by the temple, it is nothing. But whoever will have sworn by the gold of the temple is obligated.17You are foolish and blind! For which is greater: the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold18And you say: ‘Whoever will have sworn by the altar, it is nothing. But whoever will have sworn by the gift that is on the altar is obligated.19How blind you are! For which is greater: the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift20Therefore, whoever swears by the altar, swears by it, and by all that is on it21And whoever will have sworn by the temple, swears by it, and by him who dwells in it22And whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits upon it
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of authentic faith and the dangers of hypocrisy. In the first reading, St. Paul praises the Thessalonians for their vibrant faith, which has inspired others and spread the Gospel far and wide. He highlights their conversion from idolatry to the living God and their patient waiting for the return of Jesus. This passage reminds us that true faith is not passive; it is active, transformative, and contagious. The Thessalonians’ lives were marked by work, endurance, and hope—qualities that flowed from their deep relationship with Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus denounces the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, who prioritized outward appearances over inward conversion. They were more concerned with human approval and power than with living out God’s will. Jesus condemns their exploitation of the vulnerable, their empty religious practices, and their misplaced priorities. This passage serves as a warning to us all: our faith must not be about self-interest or superficial piety. True faith is humble, selfless, and rooted in a genuine love for God and neighbor.
These readings call us to examine our own lives. Are we living as authentic disciples of Christ, or are we content with a shallow faith? Like the Thessalonians, we are called to let our faith shine through our actions, enduring trials with patience and hope. At the same time, we must guard against hypocrisy, ensuring that our words and deeds align with the Gospel. Let us strive to be people of integrity, whose faith is not merely a set of rules or rituals but a living, breathing relationship with the Lord. In doing so, we become witnesses of God’s love, inspiring others to seek Him with all their hearts.