Daily Readings - Tue Feb 27 2018
Isaiah
10Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!16wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong,17learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.18"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.19If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;20but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.27Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.28But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the LORD will perish.31The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire."
Matthew
1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.5"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'8"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.9And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.10Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.11The greatest among you will be your servant.12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Sermon
The readings today offer a powerful call to authenticity and humility in our relationship with God and with others. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a prophetic call to repentance, urging the people to turn away from their sinful ways and seek justice, especially on behalf of the oppressed. Isaiah emphasizes that true conversion is not just about outward rituals but about a change of heart, leading to actions that reflect God’s justice and mercy. The prophet’s words are both a warning and an invitation, reminding us that our sins can be forgiven if we are willing to listen and change our ways.
In the Gospel, Jesus continues this theme by criticizing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He points out that while they teach the law, they fail to live it out in their own lives. They are more concerned with appearances—seeking praise and recognition—than with serving others. Jesus reminds us that true greatness is not found in titles or status but in humility and service. He calls us to follow his example, recognizing that we are all brothers and sisters, and that our ultimate Teacher and Father is God.
These readings challenge us to reflect on our own lives. Are we living with integrity, or are we more focused on appearances? Do we serve others, or do we seek recognition and praise? Isaiah and Jesus both call us to a deeper authenticity, rooted in humility and a commitment to justice. Let us ask ourselves: Am I willing to listen to God’s voice and change my ways? Am I living in a way that reflects the love and mercy of Christ? May we strive to be people of true faith, not just in word, but in action, seeking to serve rather than be served, and to exalt God above all else.