Daily Readings - Thu Aug 28 2025
1 Thessalonians
7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.12And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Matthew
42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages about faith, vigilance, and the call to live as disciples of Christ. The first reading from 1 Thessalonians expresses St. Paul’s deep affection and concern for the early Christian community. Despite the trials and tribulations they face, Paul finds joy in their steadfast faith. He prays for their continued growth in love and for the grace to see them again, that he might help complete what is lacking in their faith. This passage highlights Paul’s paternal care for his spiritual children and his desire for their holiness and blamelessness before God.
The Gospel from Matthew takes us into a different but complementary theme. Jesus warns us to be vigilant and prepared for His return, using the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants. The faithful servant is prudent, trustworthy, and hardworking, while the unfaithful servant becomes complacent and abusive when he thinks his master is delayed. Jesus emphasizes that we do not know the hour of His return, so we must always be ready, living as faithful stewards of the gifts and responsibilities entrusted to us.
Both readings remind us that our faith is not a passive reality but an active way of life. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians and Jesus’ call to vigilance invite us to reflect on how we are living our daily lives. Are we growing in love and holiness? Are we faithful in fulfilling our duties and caring for one another? The moral lesson is clear: we are called to live with purpose and integrity, trusting in God’s plan and remaining prepared to meet Him at any moment. Let us ask for the grace to be faithful servants, living with hope and love, so that when the Lord comes, He may find us ready and fruitful in our faith.