Daily Readings - Tue Feb 27 2024
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 humility in our relationship with God and with one another. In the first reading from Isaiah, the prophet speaks to a people who have wandered far from God’s ways. He calls them to repentance, urging them to seek justice, support the oppressed, and defend the vulnerable. Isaiah emphasizes that true conversion is not about outward appearances but about a change of heart. If they turn back to God with sincerity, their sins, though deep, will be washed clean. This passage reminds us that our faith must be lived out in concrete actions of love and justice.
In the Gospel, Jesus critiques the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy. While they teach the law, they fail to live it out in their own lives. They burden others with rules they do not follow themselves and seek praise and recognition for their outward piety. Jesus warns his disciples against imitating such behavior. True greatness, he says, is found in humility and service, not in seeking power or status. He reminds us that we have only one Teacher, one Father, and one Master—God himself. This teaching challenges us to examine our own motivations and actions, ensuring that they align with the values of the Kingdom of God.
Both readings call us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith. Isaiah urges us to move beyond superficial religion and to live out our faith in deeds of justice and compassion. Jesus warns us against the temptation to prioritize appearances over true humility and service. In our daily lives, we are invited to ask: Are our actions guided by a sincere desire to follow God’s will, or are they driven by a desire for recognition or power? Let us strive to live with integrity, seeking to serve rather than be served, and to humbly acknowledge our dependence on God. In doing so, we will find true greatness in the eyes of God.