Daily Readings - Sat Aug 20 2022
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 profound messages about divine presence and true leadership. Ezekiel's vision in the first reading describes the glory of God returning to the temple, a symbol of hope and restoration for the exiled Israelites. This vision underscores God's promise to dwell among His people, emphasizing the need for holiness and reverence. The temple, once defiled, is now filled with God's glory, signifying a new era of divine presence and covenant renewal.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the crowds and His disciples, critiquing the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocrisy. He highlights the disparity between their outward piety and inward corruption, stressing the importance of humility and sincerity. Jesus teaches that true authority comes not from titles or appearances but from serving others. He warns against seeking power and recognition, instead advocating for a life of genuine faith and selfless service.
These readings intersect in their themes of divine presence and authentic leadership. Ezekiel's vision reminds us of God's desire to dwell among us, while Jesus teaches us how to live in a way that reflects this presence—through humility and integrity. In our daily lives, we are called to create a sacred space within ourselves for God, living with sincerity and serving others without seeking glory. Let us strive to embody humility and authenticity, allowing God's glory to shine through our actions and hearts.