Daily Readings - Wed Aug 28 2024
2 Thessalonians
6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;8Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.16Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.17The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Matthew
27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.29Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,30And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.31Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.32Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the importance of living authentically as Christians. The first reading from 2 Thessalonians emphasizes the value of a orderly and hardworking life, urging believers to set a good example by their actions. Paul stresses that true faith is not just about words but about living in a way that reflects our beliefs, ensuring we are not a burden to others and earning our keep through honest work.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this message as Jesus criticizes the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He compares them to whitewashed tombs, highlighting the disparity between their outward appearance of righteousness and their inward decay. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hypocrisy, reminding us that our actions must align with our faith.
These readings connect by emphasizing the need for integrity and authenticity. Just as Paul calls for a life of diligent work and moral consistency, Jesus warns against a faith that is merely superficial. In our daily lives, this means being honest, compassionate, and true to our beliefs. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be lived out genuinely, ensuring that our actions reflect the integrity of our hearts. Let us strive to embody this authenticity, living in a way that truly honors our faith.