Daily Readings - Mon Aug 28 2023
1 Thessalonians
1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:Grace to you and peace.2We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,5because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.8For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.9For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Matthew
13"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.14See Footnote15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.16"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.'17You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred?18And you say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.'19You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?20So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.21And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it.22And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in our journey of faith. The first reading from 1 Thessalonians highlights the vibrant faith of the Thessalonian community, who turned away from idols to serve the living God. Their conversion was not just a change in belief but a transformation in how they lived, characterized by endurance, love, and hope in Jesus Christ. This community's faith was so impactful that it spread beyond their city, inspiring others in Macedonia and Achaia.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the scribes and Pharisees, criticizing their hypocrisy. He points out their failure to live out their faith authentically, instead focusing on outward appearances and exploiting the vulnerable. Jesus emphasizes the importance of genuine faith over empty rituals, urging us to look beyond superficial practices and connect with the true essence of our beliefs.
These readings remind us that our faith must be lived sincerely. Like the Thessalonians, we should embody our beliefs in our actions, showing love and endurance. Jesus warns us against hypocrisy, encouraging us to ensure our faith is not just a show but a genuine reflection of our commitment to God. As we reflect on our own faith practices, let us strive for authenticity, living out our beliefs with integrity and compassion, just as the Thessalonians did. In doing so, we honor God and inspire others to do the same.