Daily Readings - Tue Mar 07 2023
Isaiah
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.
Matthew
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 offer a powerful call to authenticity and integrity in our relationship with God and with others. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a stern warning to the leaders of God’s people, urging them to turn away from corruption and hypocrisy. The prophet condemns those who claim to follow God’s law but fail to live justly, exploiting the vulnerable and ignoring the plight of the widow and the orphan. Isaiah reminds us that true faith is not about outward appearances or empty rituals but about living with justice, compassion, and humility. He calls us to “learn to do good” and to seek judgment that uplifts the marginalized. The prophet’s words are a reminder that our actions must align with our faith, and that genuine repentance leads to healing and restoration.
In the Gospel, Jesus continues this theme by denouncing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He criticizes their tendency to burden others with strict rules while failing to live by those same standards. They seek praise and recognition for their outward piety, but their hearts are far from God. Jesus teaches that true greatness is not about seeking power or prestige but about serving others with humility. He reminds us that we have only one Master, one Father, and one Teacher—God himself. This means that no one on earth should be exalted above others, and that leadership is about serving, not being served.
Together, these readings challenge us to examine our own lives and motivations. Are we living with integrity, or are we more concerned with appearances? Do we use our faith to uplift others, or do we use it to elevate ourselves? The moral lesson is clear: true faith is not about what others see but about how we live in accordance with God’s will. Let us strive to be people of authenticity, compassion, and humility, remembering that our actions speak louder than our words. May we learn to “do good” and to seek justice, that we may be instruments of God’s love in the world.