Daily Readings - Sun Nov 05 2023
Malachi
14But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.
1And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.2If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.8But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.9Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.10Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
1 Thessalonians
7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:8So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
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
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, humility, and authenticity. The first reading from Malachi addresses the priests who have strayed from their sacred duties, warning them of God’s displeasure. It emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful and true to one’s calling. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians highlights the Apostles’ selfless dedication to spreading the Gospel, illustrating their humility and love for the people. The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus’ critique of the scribes and Pharisees, who prioritized appearances over genuine faith, teaching that true greatness lies in humility.
These readings share a common theme: the call to live out our faith with sincerity and humility. Malachi’s warning against hypocrisy and Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees’s showmanship remind us that our actions must reflect our beliefs. The Apostles in Thessalonians exemplify this through their tireless and selfless work, showing that true service is rooted in love and humility. Together, these passages urge us to examine our own lives, ensuring our faith is not just a facade but a deep, transformative force.
In our daily lives, we are challenged to embody this authenticity. Let us strive to serve others with humility, avoiding the temptation to seek recognition or power. May we, like the Apostles, be dedicated to sharing God’s love without seeking glory for ourselves. As Jesus taught, true greatness comes not from titles or appearances, but from a humble heart. Let us reflect on our actions and intentions, ensuring they align with the sincerity and love that our faith demands.