Daily Readings - Wed Oct 16 2019
Romans
1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.2But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.3And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;6Who will render to every man according to his deeds:7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,9Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:11For there is no respect of persons with God.
Luke
42But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.43Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.44Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.45Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.46And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the dangers of hypocrisy and the importance of living a life rooted in genuine faith and justice. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul warns against judging others while ignoring our own failings. He reminds us that God’s judgment is fair and based on truth, not favoritism. Those who act with patience, seek glory, and do good will receive eternal life, while those who are contentious and disobedient will face wrath. This passage calls us to self-reflection and repentance, urging us to align our actions with the kindness and mercy of God.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the Pharisees, criticizing their outward piety while neglecting the weightier matters of justice and love. He condemns their love for prestige and their failure to live authentically, comparing them to hidden graves—appearances of righteousness but inward corruption. This teaching challenges us to examine our own lives: do we prioritize the external trappings of faith while ignoring its deeper demands? Jesus’ words remind us that true faith is not about appearances but about living with integrity, compassion, and humility.
These readings are deeply connected, as both emphasize the importance of living in accordance with God’s truth rather than outward displays of piety. They call us to move beyond hypocrisy and superficiality, embracing a life of genuine faith and moral consistency. Let us ask ourselves: Are we like the Pharisees, focused on appearances, or are we striving to live with hearts open to God’s love and justice? May we seek to do good, not for recognition, but because it is who we are called to be as children of God.