Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 27, 2024
First Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2.1-3a, 14-17
1Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.3Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,14To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,17comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
Psalm 96
1Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!2Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!4For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.6Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!8Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!9Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!10Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy13before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Gospel: Matthew 23.23-26
23"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.24You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!25"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.26You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of living with authenticity and integrity in our faith. The first reading from 2 Thessalonians warns us against being deceived by false claims about the Lord’s return. St. Paul urges the community to stand firm in their traditions and not be swayed by empty words or misleading spirits. This passage emphasizes the need for steadfastness and trust in God’s plan, even when uncertainty or false teachings arise. The context of this letter was a community anxious about the Second Coming, and Paul reassures them that the Lord’s timing is not to be doubted or feared unnecessarily.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this message by highlighting the danger of hypocrisy. Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for their meticulous observance of minor laws, such as tithing herbs, while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith. He compares them to cups cleaned on the outside but filthy within, calling them to first purify their hearts before worrying about outward appearances. This teaching challenges us to examine our own lives: are we more concerned with how we look to others, or are we truly living out our faith with sincerity and compassion?
Both readings call us to authenticity. In a world filled with distractions and false priorities, we are invited to focus on what truly matters—living with integrity, standing firm in our faith, and cultivating a heart that reflects God’s love. Let us not be like the Pharisees, straining out gnats while swallowing camels. Instead, let us allow God to clean our inner cups, that our actions and intentions may align with His will. In doing so, we become beacons of truth and grace in a world that sorely needs both.