Daily Readings - Sat Aug 22 2020
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and the nature of true leadership. Ezekiel's vision in Ezekiel 43:1-7a depicts the return of God's glory to the temple, a symbol of divine presence and restoration. This vision emphasizes God's desire to dwell among His people, calling them to live in holiness and avoid defiling His name. The context of this passage is one of hope and renewal, offering a glimpse into a future where God's presence is once again central to His people's lives.
In the Gospel, Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus critiques the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy. He distinguishes between their teachings, which should be followed, and their actions, which often prioritize appearance over true faith. Jesus condemns their love for recognition and titles, urging His followers to embrace humility. The context here is a call to authentic leadership, where service and humility are valued over status and power.
Both readings connect through their emphasis on authenticity and humility. Ezekiel's vision calls for a genuine return to God, while Jesus' teachings warn against superficial faith. Together, they remind us that true faith is not about outward appearances but about living with integrity and serving others humbly.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to examine our own practices. Are we focused on outward signs of faith, or are we cultivating a deep, authentic relationship with God? Do we seek recognition, or do we serve others with humility? The moral lesson here is clear: genuine faith and humble service are the hallmarks of a life that reflects God's presence. As we strive to live with integrity and humility, we embody the teachings of Ezekiel and Jesus, allowing God's glory to shine through us.