Daily Readings - Wed Oct 13 2021
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
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about hypocrisy and the true nature of faith. The first reading from Romans reminds us that God’s judgment is fair and impartial. Paul warns against hypocrisy, urging us not to judge others for actions we ourselves commit. He emphasizes that God will reward those who do good and punish those who do evil, regardless of their background. This passage calls us to self-reflection, urging us to align our actions with our beliefs and avoid the trap of hypocrisy.
The Gospel from Luke complements this message as Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their focus on outward appearances rather than inner righteousness. He condemns their love for public recognition and their neglect of justice and love. When a lawyer objects, Jesus extends his criticism to them, highlighting their failure to alleviate the burdens they impose on others. This passage underscores the importance of living out our faith authentically, ensuring that our actions reflect our values without seeking praise.
Together, these readings remind us that true faith requires more than outward rituals; it demands justice, love, and humility. As we reflect on our own lives, let us ask ourselves: Do we practice what we preach? Are we guilty of hypocrisy? Let us strive to live with integrity, focusing on the substance of our faith rather than its appearance. May we embrace the call to live authentically, aligning our actions with our beliefs, and may we humbly serve others without seeking recognition.