Daily Readings - Wed Mar 05 2025
Joel
12Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:13And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.14Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?15Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:16Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.17Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?18Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
Matthew
1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the essence of true faith and the call to live a life of sincerity and humility before God. The first reading from Joel emphasizes the importance of genuine conversion. Joel calls the people to return to the Lord with their whole hearts, warning against superficial displays of piety. He urges them to rend their hearts, not their garments, signaling a deeper, inward transformation. This passage is set against the backdrop of a time of crisis, where the people are urged to seek God’s mercy and spare them from disgrace. Joel’s words remind us that true repentance is not about outward shows but about an inner change that reflects our commitment to God.
The second reading from 2 Corinthians complements Joel’s message by highlighting our role as ambassadors for Christ. Paul implores the Corinthians to be reconciled to God and not to receive His grace in vain. He emphasizes the urgency of the present moment as the time of salvation, quoting Isaiah to stress that God’s favor is available now. This passage underscores the responsibility that comes with receiving God’s grace—namely, to live in a way that reflects His love and mercy to the world. Paul’s words challenge us to consider how we respond to God’s grace and whether we are living as true representatives of Christ.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus’ teachings on the proper way to practice justice, prayer, and fasting. Jesus warns against performing these acts for the sake of human approval, as the hypocrites do. Instead, He calls His followers to do these things in secret, where only God can see. This teaching emphasizes the importance of sincerity in our relationship with God. When we give alms, pray, or fast, our focus should be on pleasing God rather than seeking human praise. Jesus’ words remind us that true spirituality is about cultivating a deep, personal connection with God, free from the need for external validation.
These readings, when taken together, offer a powerful lesson about the nature of authentic faith. Joel calls us to conversion, Paul reminds us of our role as ambassadors, and Jesus teaches us how to live out our faith with sincerity. The common thread is the call to humility and a focus on God rather than on ourselves. In our daily lives, we are challenged to examine our motivations and ensure that our actions are driven by a genuine desire to please God. Let us strive to live in such a way that our hearts are truly converted, our lives reflect God’s grace, and our spiritual practices are rooted in sincerity. May we embrace this call to authentic faith, living as ambassadors of Christ with humility and integrity.