Daily Readings - Mon Jul 16 2018
Isaiah
10Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!11"The multitude of your sacrifices- what are they to me?" says the LORD. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.12When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?13Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations- I cannot bear your evil assemblies.14Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood;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.
Matthew
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.35For I have come to turn "'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
1After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter a powerful message about the essence of true faith and discipleship. The first reading from Isaiah 1:10-17 confronts us with a stark reality: outward acts of worship, such as sacrifices and rituals, are meaningless if they are not accompanied by a life of justice and compassion. Isaiah speaks on behalf of God, rejecting the empty rituals of a people whose lives are marked by oppression and injustice. God calls them to true worship, which involves seeking justice, defending the vulnerable, and living with integrity.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 10:34–11:1 presents a similar challenge. Jesus speaks of the cost of discipleship, emphasizing that following Him may require sacrifice and even division. He calls us to love Him above all else and to take up our cross, embracing the challenges of living according to His teachings. Jesus also highlights the importance of small acts of kindness, such as giving a cup of water to those in need, as a reflection of our commitment to Him. This teaching reminds us that faith is not just about grand gestures but also about the everyday choices we make to live out His love.
Both readings remind us that true faith is not about outward appearances or empty rituals but about living a life that reflects God’s heart. Isaiah calls us to move beyond superficial religion to a life of justice and compassion, while Jesus challenges us to embrace the difficult yet transformative path of discipleship. In our daily lives, this means examining how we live out our faith. Are we merely going through the motions, or are we actively seeking to love, serve, and stand up for what is right? Let us remember that true worship and discipleship require us to act with integrity, kindness, and courage, reflecting God’s love in all we do.