Daily Readings - Wed Aug 26 2020

2 Thessalonians

6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;8Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.16Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.17The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Matthew

27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.29Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,30And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.31Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.32Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of living authentically and with integrity. The first reading from 2 Thessalonians encourages believers to lead disciplined lives, working diligently and avoiding idleness. Paul emphasizes the importance of setting a good example and earning one’s keep, highlighting the value of self-sufficiency and community responsibility. The Gospel, from Matthew, presents a stark contrast as Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He likened them to whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled with decay within. This critique underscores the danger of prioritizing outward appearances over inner righteousness. The context of these readings reveals their relevance. Paul’s letter addressed a community that may have been waiting passively for the Second Coming, urging them to remain productive and responsible. Jesus’ words, part of his broader condemnation of the Pharisees, highlight the tension between outward piety and inward corruption. Together, these readings emphasize the need for authenticity in faith, urging us to align our actions with our beliefs. Reflecting on these teachings, we are called to examine our own lives. Do our actions reflect our faith, or do we merely go through the motions? Jesus’ condemnation of hypocrisy serves as a reminder to cultivate sincerity in our hearts and actions. True faith is not about appearances but about living with integrity. Let us strive to be authentic followers of Christ, ensuring our inner lives match our outward devotion, thus embodying the moral lesson of integrity and sincerity.