Daily Readings - Mon Aug 26 2024
2 Thessalonians
1Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ2Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ3We ought to give thanks always to God for you, brothers, in a fitting manner, because your faith is increasing greatly, and because the charity of each of you toward one another is abundant4so much so that we ourselves even glory in you among the churches of God, because of your patience and faith in all of your persecutions and tribulations that you endure5which are a sign of the just judgment of God, so that you may be held worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer11Because of this, too, we pray always for you, so that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may complete every act of his goodness, as well as his work of faith in virtue12in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages that call us to reflect on our faith and our relationship with God. The first reading from 2 Thessalonians is a letter of encouragement and thanksgiving. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy express their gratitude for the growing faith and abundant love of the Thessalonian community. They remind the believers that their endurance of persecutions and tribulations is a sign of God’s just judgment, preparing them for the kingdom of God. The authors pray that God may fulfill His good work in them and that the name of Jesus Christ may be glorified in their lives.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents a stark contrast. Jesus addresses the scribes and Pharisees with a series of woes, condemning their hypocrisy. He accuses them of closing the kingdom of heaven to others, exploiting the vulnerable, and prioritizing outward appearances over genuine faith. Jesus critiques their legalistic approach to religion, where they focus on oaths and external rituals rather than the heart of God’s commandments. He calls them blind guides, more concerned with gold and gifts than the sacredness of the temple and the altar.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith and actions. Like the Thessalonians, we are called to endure trials with patience and trust in God’s plan. At the same time, we must avoid the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who prioritized appearances over authenticity. True faith is not about outward displays or legalistic observances but about living with integrity, compassion, and a heart centered on God. Let us strive to be people of genuine faith, enduring life’s challenges with grace and living in a way that reflects the love and justice of Christ.