Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 25, 2021
First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2.9-13
9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.10Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:11As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,12That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Psalm 139
1O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.4For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.5Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.7Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?8If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.9If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;10Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.11If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.12Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.16Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!18If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.19Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.20For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.21Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?22I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Gospel: Matthew 23.27-32
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and the way we live it out. In the first reading from 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul reminds the early Christians of his own example of integrity and hard work. He and his companions preached the Gospel not for personal gain but out of love, working tirelessly to support themselves so as not to burden others. Paul emphasizes that the Word of God they shared was not merely human words but the divine truth that transforms hearts. This passage challenges us to consider the sincerity of our own actions and the way we share our faith with others.
In the Gospel, Jesus offers a stark contrast with His critique of the scribes and Pharisees. He condemns their hypocrisy, comparing them to whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled with decay within. Jesus points out their outward show of piety while inwardly they are consumed by pride and injustice. This passage serves as a warning against religious superficiality, reminding us that true faith must penetrate to the heart and transform our lives. The Pharisees, in their pride, fail to recognize their own sinfulness, and Jesus calls them to accountability for their actions.
Together, these readings remind us that faith is not about appearances but about authenticity. St. Paul’s example shows us that living out our faith requires humility, hard work, and a genuine love for others. Jesus’ words, on the other hand, warn us against the danger of hypocrisy—of looking righteous on the outside while neglecting the inner transformation that faith demands. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we living our faith with sincerity and integrity? Do our words and actions reflect the truth of the Gospel, or are we content with outward appearances? May we strive to be people of true faith, allowing the Word of God to take root in our hearts and bear fruit in our lives.