Daily Readings - Tue Aug 26 2025

¹For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.²But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.³For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,⁴but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.⁵For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness.⁶Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.⁷But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.⁸So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

Matthew

Chapter 23

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

The readings today invite us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and the integrity of our actions. In the first reading from 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul reminds the early Christians of the sincerity and selflessness with which he and his companions shared the Gospel. He emphasizes that their mission was not driven by personal gain or human approval but by a deep love for God and for the people they served. This passage highlights the importance of living out our faith with humility and generosity, putting the needs of others before our own. In the Gospel, Jesus critiques the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy. He points out that while they meticulously observed certain religious practices, such as tithing, they neglected the more essential aspects of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. Jesus’ words challenge us to examine our own lives. Are we more focused on outward appearances or on cultivating inner purity and compassion? He warns against being “blind guides” who strain out a gnat but swallow a camel, reminding us that true faith must transform both our hearts and our actions. These readings call us to live with integrity, ensuring that our words and actions align with the values of the Gospel. Like St. Paul, we are called to share our faith with sincerity and love, not seeking glory or gain. And like Jesus’ critique of the Pharisees, we are reminded that true righteousness begins within. Let us ask ourselves: Are we living in a way that reflects the love and mercy of God? Are we more concerned with what others see or with what God sees in our hearts? May we strive to be people of authenticity and compassion, living out our faith in a way that honors God and serves others.