Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 15, 2022
First Reading: Isaiah 1.10, 16-20, 27-28, 31
10Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:20But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.27Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.28And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.31And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
Psalm 50
1The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.3Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.4He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.5Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.6And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.7Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.8I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.9I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.10For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.11I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.12If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.13Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?14Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.16But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?17Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.18When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.19Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.20Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.22Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.23Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
Gospel: Matthew 23.1-12
1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Sermon
The readings today call us to reflect on the relationship between faith and actions. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a call to repentance, as the prophet addresses the corruption of Jerusalem's leaders. They are called to turn away from their hypocrisy and return to justice and righteousness. Isaiah emphasizes that true faith is not about outward appearances but about living justly, caring for the vulnerable, and seeking integrity. The prophet warns that without genuine change, the consequences will be severe.
In the Gospel, Matthew 23, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and scribes, criticizing their hypocrisy. They teach God's law but fail to live it out, burdening others while failing to lift a finger to help. Jesus warns against seeking status and recognition, calling His followers to humility instead. He reminds us that true authority comes not from titles but from living out the truth in love and service.
Together, these readings challenge us to examine our own lives. Are we like the Pharisees, more concerned with appearances than authentic faith? Do we use our faith to lift others up or to elevate ourselves? The readings call us to live with integrity, humility, and a commitment to justice. As we go about our days, may we strive to live in a way that reflects the love and humility of Christ, seeking to serve rather than be served.