Daily Readings - Mon Jul 16 2018
Isaiah
10Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.11To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.12When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?13Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Matthew
34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.41He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
1And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter a powerful message about the essence of true faith and discipleship. The first reading from Isaiah 1:10-17 confronts us with a stark reality: outward acts of worship, such as sacrifices and rituals, are meaningless if they are not accompanied by a life of justice and compassion. Isaiah speaks on behalf of God, rejecting the empty rituals of a people whose lives are marked by oppression and injustice. God calls them to true worship, which involves seeking justice, defending the vulnerable, and living with integrity.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 10:34–11:1 presents a similar challenge. Jesus speaks of the cost of discipleship, emphasizing that following Him may require sacrifice and even division. He calls us to love Him above all else and to take up our cross, embracing the challenges of living according to His teachings. Jesus also highlights the importance of small acts of kindness, such as giving a cup of water to those in need, as a reflection of our commitment to Him. This teaching reminds us that faith is not just about grand gestures but also about the everyday choices we make to live out His love.
Both readings remind us that true faith is not about outward appearances or empty rituals but about living a life that reflects God’s heart. Isaiah calls us to move beyond superficial religion to a life of justice and compassion, while Jesus challenges us to embrace the difficult yet transformative path of discipleship. In our daily lives, this means examining how we live out our faith. Are we merely going through the motions, or are we actively seeking to love, serve, and stand up for what is right? Let us remember that true worship and discipleship require us to act with integrity, kindness, and courage, reflecting God’s love in all we do.