Daily Readings - Wed Aug 26 2020
2 Thessalonians
6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,8nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.9It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.10For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Matthew
27"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.28So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.29"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous,30saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'31Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.32Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of living authentically and with integrity. The first reading from 2 Thessalonians encourages believers to lead disciplined lives, working diligently and avoiding idleness. Paul emphasizes the importance of setting a good example and earning one’s keep, highlighting the value of self-sufficiency and community responsibility. The Gospel, from Matthew, presents a stark contrast as Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He likened them to whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled with decay within. This critique underscores the danger of prioritizing outward appearances over inner righteousness.
The context of these readings reveals their relevance. Paul’s letter addressed a community that may have been waiting passively for the Second Coming, urging them to remain productive and responsible. Jesus’ words, part of his broader condemnation of the Pharisees, highlight the tension between outward piety and inward corruption. Together, these readings emphasize the need for authenticity in faith, urging us to align our actions with our beliefs.
Reflecting on these teachings, we are called to examine our own lives. Do our actions reflect our faith, or do we merely go through the motions? Jesus’ condemnation of hypocrisy serves as a reminder to cultivate sincerity in our hearts and actions. True faith is not about appearances but about living with integrity. Let us strive to be authentic followers of Christ, ensuring our inner lives match our outward devotion, thus embodying the moral lesson of integrity and sincerity.