Daily Readings - Sat Aug 25 2018
Ezekiel
1Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east.2And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory.3And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face.4As the glory of the LORD entered the temple by the gate facing east,5the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.6While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple,7and he said to me, "Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever. And the house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoring and by the dead bodies of their kings at their high places,
Matthew
1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,2"The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat,3so practice and observe whatever they tell you--but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice.4They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.5They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,6and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues7and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.8But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.9And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.10Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.11The greatest among you shall be your servant.12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Sermon
The first reading from Ezekiel paints a vivid scene of the divine glory returning to the temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel, a prophet in exile, is given a vision of God’s presence reentering the temple from the east, symbolizing hope and restoration for the people of Israel. This vision comes after a time of great turmoil and sin, where the Israelites had turned away from God. Ezekiel’s prophecy emphasizes God’s desire to dwell among His people, but it also serves as a call to repentance and a reminder that true worship must be pure and untainted by sin. The temple, as the dwelling place of God, is not just a physical structure but a symbol of God’s covenant with His people.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the crowds and His disciples, critiquing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. While these religious leaders outwardly appear devout, their actions do not match their words. They burden others with strict rules while failing to live by them themselves. Jesus condemns their love for power, prestige, and recognition, urging His followers to embrace humility instead. The passage reminds us that true faith is not about outward appearances or titles but about living with integrity and serving others. Jesus emphasizes that there is only one true Teacher, Father, and Master—God Himself—and that our relationship with Him should be rooted in humility and sincerity.
Both readings call us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and our relationship with God. Ezekiel’s vision reminds us of God’s desire to be present in our lives, but it also challenges us to purify our hearts and actions. Jesus’ teachings warn us against hypocrisy and the temptation to seek recognition or power. Together, these readings invite us to live with humility, sincerity, and a deep commitment to following God’s will. In our daily lives, we are called to avoid the traps of self-importance and instead focus on serving others and living in a way that reflects God’s love and truth. Let us strive to be people of integrity, whose words and actions align with our faith, and whose hearts are humble and open to God’s presence.