Daily Readings - Sun Nov 05 2023
Malachi
14Cursed is the deceitful, who holds in his flock a male, and, when making a vow, offers in sacrifice that which is feeble to the Lord. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the Gentiles
1And now, O priests, this command is to you2If you will refuse to listen, and if you will refuse to take it to heart, so as to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, I will send destitution upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yes, I will curse them. For you have not taken it to heart8But you have withdrawn from the way, and you have scandalized very many in the law. You have nullified the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts9Because of this, I also have made you contemptible and debased to all the people, just as you have not served my ways, and you have accepted a face in the law10Is there not one Father of us all? Did not one God create us? Why, then, does each one of us despise his brother, violating the covenant of our fathers
1 Thessalonians
7And although we could have been a burden to you, as Apostles of Christ, instead we became like little ones in your midst, like a nurse cherishing her children8So desirous were we for you that we were willing to hand over to you, not only the Gospel of God, but even our own souls. For you have become most beloved to us9For you remember, brothers, our hardship and weariness. We preached the Gospel of God among you, working night and day, so that we would not be burdensome to any of you13For this reason also, we give thanks to God without ceasing: because, when you had accepted from us the Word of the hearing of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but (as it truly is) as the Word of God, who is working in you who have believed
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 powerful messages about faith, humility, and authenticity. The first reading from Malachi addresses the priests who have strayed from their sacred duties, warning them of God’s displeasure. It emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful and true to one’s calling. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians highlights the Apostles’ selfless dedication to spreading the Gospel, illustrating their humility and love for the people. The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus’ critique of the scribes and Pharisees, who prioritized appearances over genuine faith, teaching that true greatness lies in humility.
These readings share a common theme: the call to live out our faith with sincerity and humility. Malachi’s warning against hypocrisy and Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees’s showmanship remind us that our actions must reflect our beliefs. The Apostles in Thessalonians exemplify this through their tireless and selfless work, showing that true service is rooted in love and humility. Together, these passages urge us to examine our own lives, ensuring our faith is not just a facade but a deep, transformative force.
In our daily lives, we are challenged to embody this authenticity. Let us strive to serve others with humility, avoiding the temptation to seek recognition or power. May we, like the Apostles, be dedicated to sharing God’s love without seeking glory for ourselves. As Jesus taught, true greatness comes not from titles or appearances, but from a humble heart. Let us reflect on our actions and intentions, ensuring they align with the sincerity and love that our faith demands.