Daily Readings - Wed Mar 02 2022
Joel
12Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:13And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.14Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?15Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:16Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.17Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?18Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
Matthew
1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true repentance, genuine faith, and the importance of living out our relationship with God in sincerity and humility. In the first reading from the prophet Joel, we hear a call to conversion, urging the people to return to the Lord with their whole heart. Joel emphasizes that true repentance is not merely external—tearing garments or outward signs of mourning—but rather an inward transformation, a rending of the heart. This call to conversion is rooted in God’s mercy and steadfast love, who is always ready to spare and forgive, even in the face of human failure.
The second reading from 2 Corinthians deepens this theme of reconciliation. Paul reminds us that we are ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with the mission of reconciling the world to God. He implores us not to receive God’s grace in vain, emphasizing that the time for salvation is now. This passage underscores the urgency of living out our faith with authenticity, not letting opportunities for conversion and growth pass us by. The “acceptable time” and the “day of salvation” are not in some distant future but in the present moment.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus’ teachings on the proper way to live out our faith. He warns against performing acts of piety—such as almsgiving, prayer, and fasting—with the intention of being seen by others. True faith, Jesus teaches, is not about external appearances but about sincerity and humility. When we give alms, pray, or fast, these acts should be done in secret, directed toward God alone, who sees what is done in secret and will reward it. Jesus calls us to a faith that is genuine, unpretentious, and rooted in a deep, personal relationship with the Father.
These readings, taken together, remind us that our relationship with God is not about outward appearances but about the condition of our hearts. Joel calls us to rend their hearts, Paul urges us to live out our faith with urgency and sincerity, and Jesus teaches us to direct our spiritual practices toward God alone. In our daily lives, let us examine our motivations and actions, ensuring that they flow from a place of genuine love for God and a desire to grow closer to him. May we embrace the call to conversion, live as true ambassadors of Christ, and cultivate a faith that is humble, sincere, and deeply personal.