Daily Readings - Mon Jul 11 2022
Isaiah
10Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!11"What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.12"When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts?13Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations--I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.15When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.16Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil,17learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.
Matthew
34"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.36And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.38And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.40"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.41The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.42And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."
1When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter a profound call to authenticity and commitment in our faith. The first reading from Isaiah 1:10-17 confronts us with God's displeasure towards empty rituals. The Israelites are going through the motions of sacrifice and festivals, yet their hearts are far from God, marked by injustice and oppression. Isaiah emphasizes that true worship is not about rituals but about living justly and compassionately.
In the Gospel, Matthew 10:34–11:1, Jesus challenges us with a radical message. He comes not to bring comfort but to disrupt, even within families, calling us to prioritize Him above all else. Following Jesus means taking up our cross, embracing sacrifice, and standing for righteousness. Jesus also highlights the importance of receiving prophets and the righteous, and even small acts of kindness, like giving a cup of water, are rewarded.
These readings connect by emphasizing that true faith transcends rituals. Isaiah calls for justice, while Jesus demands unwavering commitment. Together, they remind us that faith must be lived authentically, transforming our actions and relationships. In our daily lives, this means more than attending church; it involves standing up for justice, helping the needy, and making tough choices to follow God's will. Let us reflect on how we can live our faith with authenticity, allowing it to transform our world.