Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 25, 2020
First Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2.1-3a, 14-17
1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.15Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Psalm 96
1O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.2Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.3Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.4For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.6Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.8Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.9O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.10Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.12Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice13Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Gospel: Matthew 23.23-26
23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.24Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.25Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.26Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Sermon
The readings today offer a profound reflection on the nature of faith and authenticity. In 2 Thessalonians, we are reminded to remain steadfast and not be swayed by false claims about the second coming of Christ. The apostle reassures the community that certain events must unfold before Christ's return, emphasizing the importance of holding fast to the traditions of the faith. This message of stability and hope is a comfort to believers, encouraging them to trust in God's grace and not be deceived by false teachings.
In the Gospel, Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, critiquing their focus on minor details of the law while neglecting the more significant virtues of judgment, mercy, and faith. His metaphors of straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel and cleaning the outside of a cup while ignoring the inside illustrate the disparity between outward appearances and inner righteousness. Jesus calls for a genuine faith that prioritizes the heart over external displays of piety.
These readings connect through their emphasis on authenticity in faith. Both warn against superficiality—whether in believing false teachings or in practicing religion without inner integrity. They challenge us to look beyond the surface and cultivate a faith that is rooted in truth and moral consistency. In our daily lives, this means being vigilant against false ideas and ensuring our actions reflect genuine faith. The moral lesson is clear: true faith is about inner righteousness, not outward appearances. Let us strive to live with authenticity, focusing on what truly matters in our walk with God.