Daily Readings - Thu Aug 26 2021
1 Thessalonians
7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.12And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Matthew
42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the importance of faithfulness and preparedness in our relationship with God. In the first reading from 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul expresses his deep joy and gratitude for the steadfast faith of the Thessalonian community despite the trials and tribulations they endured. He prays for their continued growth in holiness and for the grace to be reunited with them. This passage highlights the mutual support and encouragement that should exist between believers, as well as the hope of ultimate union with Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us to be vigilant and prepared for His return. Using the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants, He emphasizes the importance of living in such a way that we are ready to meet Him at any moment. The faithful servant is diligent in fulfilling his duties, while the unfaithful one becomes complacent and neglects his responsibilities. This parable serves as a warning to remain faithful and not to take God’s mercy for granted, lest we face judgment.
Together, these readings call us to live with purpose and integrity, trusting in God’s plan while being mindful of our responsibility to remain faithful. In our daily lives, we are invited to imitate the Thessalonians by standing firm in our faith despite challenges, and to embrace the attitude of the faithful servant by being attentive to our duties and living in a way that reflects our love for God. Let us ask for the grace to keep our hearts focused on Him, so that we may be found faithful when He comes.