Daily Readings - Sat Aug 25 2018
Ezekiel
1Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:2And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.3And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.4And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.5So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.6And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.7And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.
Matthew
1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Sermon
The first reading from Ezekiel paints a vivid scene of the divine glory returning to the temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel, a prophet in exile, is given a vision of God’s presence reentering the temple from the east, symbolizing hope and restoration for the people of Israel. This vision comes after a time of great turmoil and sin, where the Israelites had turned away from God. Ezekiel’s prophecy emphasizes God’s desire to dwell among His people, but it also serves as a call to repentance and a reminder that true worship must be pure and untainted by sin. The temple, as the dwelling place of God, is not just a physical structure but a symbol of God’s covenant with His people.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the crowds and His disciples, critiquing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. While these religious leaders outwardly appear devout, their actions do not match their words. They burden others with strict rules while failing to live by them themselves. Jesus condemns their love for power, prestige, and recognition, urging His followers to embrace humility instead. The passage reminds us that true faith is not about outward appearances or titles but about living with integrity and serving others. Jesus emphasizes that there is only one true Teacher, Father, and Master—God Himself—and that our relationship with Him should be rooted in humility and sincerity.
Both readings call us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and our relationship with God. Ezekiel’s vision reminds us of God’s desire to be present in our lives, but it also challenges us to purify our hearts and actions. Jesus’ teachings warn us against hypocrisy and the temptation to seek recognition or power. Together, these readings invite us to live with humility, sincerity, and a deep commitment to following God’s will. In our daily lives, we are called to avoid the traps of self-importance and instead focus on serving others and living in a way that reflects God’s love and truth. Let us strive to be people of integrity, whose words and actions align with our faith, and whose hearts are humble and open to God’s presence.