Daily Readings - Wed Feb 17 2021
Joel
12"Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;13and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.14Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?15Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;16gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.17Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, "Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"18Then the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people.
Matthew
1"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.2"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.5"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.16"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.17But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,18that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Sermon
The readings today guide us on a journey of sincerity and humility in our faith. Joel calls us to repentance, urging us to turn our hearts fully to God through genuine fasting and prayer, rather than outward displays. This inward focus is echoed by Paul, who reminds us to live as true ambassadors of Christ, embracing His grace with heartfelt commitment. Jesus, in the Gospel, teaches us to practice our faith humbly, seeking God's approval rather than human praise.
These passages remind us that our faith should be a deeply personal and sincere relationship with God. Whether in prayer, fasting, or acts of charity, our focus should be on pleasing Him rather than seeking the admiration of others. The call to be ambassadors for Christ and to live as the righteousness of God is a profound reminder of our mission to embody His love and grace in the world.
In our daily lives, let us reflect on our motivations and ensure that our actions are guided by a sincere desire to honor God. By embracing humility and authenticity, we cultivate a faith that is not only genuine but also transformative. Let us strive to live in such a way that our hearts are always turned toward God, seeking His reward and approval above all else.