Daily Readings - Mon Aug 25 2025
1 Thessalonians
1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;3Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;4Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.8For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.9For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Matthew
13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.14Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.15Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.16Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!17Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?18And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.19Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?20Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.21And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.22And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages that call us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and the integrity of our actions. The first reading from 1 Thessalonians expresses Paul’s gratitude for the vibrant faith of the early Christian community in Thessalonica. He highlights their “work of faith, labor of love, and endurance in hope,” which not only transformed their own lives but also inspired others. The Gospel from Matthew, however, presents a stark contrast as Jesus denounces the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He condemns their empty religious practices, such as lengthy prayers for show and their obsession with converting others while leading them further from true faith. Jesus’ words are a sharp reminder that our relationship with God cannot be reduced to outward appearances or hollow rituals.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on the authenticity of faith. Paul praises the Thessalonians because their faith was not just a set of beliefs but a way of life that flowed from their hearts and transformed their actions. In contrast, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for prioritizing appearances over substance, using religion to manipulate and control rather than to serve and love. Together, these readings challenge us to examine whether our faith is a living, breathing force in our lives or merely a facade.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we living as authentic disciples of Christ, or are we content with superficial religiosity? Do our words and actions reflect the love and hope of the Gospel, or do we, like the Pharisees, focus on external practices that hide an empty heart? The moral lesson here is clear: true faith must be rooted in sincerity and integrity. Let us strive to be like the Thessalonians, whose faith was so genuine and transformative that it inspired others. May we avoid the trap of hypocrisy and instead allow our faith to shine through in the way we love, serve, and live each day.