Daily Readings - Wed Mar 06 2019
Joel
12Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:13And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.14Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?15Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:16Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.17Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?18Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
Matthew
1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true conversion, reconciliation, and the authenticity of our relationship with God. In the first reading from Joel, we hear a call to return to the Lord with our whole heart. Joel emphasizes that true repentance is not about external displays but about an internal transformation: "Rend your hearts, not your garments." This plea comes in a time of crisis, urging the people to seek God’s mercy and spare them from disgrace. The prophet’s words remind us that conversion is not a superficial act but a deep, heartfelt turning back to God.
The second reading from 2 Corinthians reinforces this message. Paul describes himself and other believers as ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. He implores us not to receive God’s grace in vain, reminding us that the time for salvation is now. This passage emphasizes the urgency of living out our faith with sincerity and purpose, for God’s grace is not to be taken lightly. Paul’s words challenge us to examine how we respond to God’s invitation to reconciliation in our daily lives.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus teaching about the proper way to practice justice, prayer, and fasting. He warns against performing these acts of piety for the sake of appearances, as the hypocrites do. Instead, Jesus calls us to live these virtues in secret, so that our actions are seen by God alone. This teaching underscores the importance of authenticity in our spiritual lives. True devotion to God is not about seeking human approval but about fostering a deep, personal relationship with Him.
These readings together remind us that our faith must be lived with sincerity and humility. Joel calls us to rend our hearts, Paul urges us to embrace reconciliation, and Jesus teaches us to avoid hypocrisy. In our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are our actions motivated by a genuine love for God, or are they driven by a desire to be seen by others? Let us strive to live our faith with authenticity, knowing that God sees what is hidden and will reward it. May we turn to Him with whole hearts, embracing His grace and living as true ambassadors of Christ.