Daily Readings - Sat Aug 25 2018
Ezekiel
1Then the man brought me to the gate facing east,2and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory.3The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown.4The glory of the LORD entered the temple through the gate facing east.5Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.6While the man was standing beside me, I heard someone speaking to me from inside the temple.7He said: "Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The house of Israel will never again defile my holy name-neither they nor their kings-by their prostitution and the lifeless idols of their kings at their high places.
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 first reading from Ezekiel paints a vivid scene of the divine glory returning to the temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel, a prophet in exile, is given a vision of God’s presence reentering the temple from the east, symbolizing hope and restoration for the people of Israel. This vision comes after a time of great turmoil and sin, where the Israelites had turned away from God. Ezekiel’s prophecy emphasizes God’s desire to dwell among His people, but it also serves as a call to repentance and a reminder that true worship must be pure and untainted by sin. The temple, as the dwelling place of God, is not just a physical structure but a symbol of God’s covenant with His people.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the crowds and His disciples, critiquing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. While these religious leaders outwardly appear devout, their actions do not match their words. They burden others with strict rules while failing to live by them themselves. Jesus condemns their love for power, prestige, and recognition, urging His followers to embrace humility instead. The passage reminds us that true faith is not about outward appearances or titles but about living with integrity and serving others. Jesus emphasizes that there is only one true Teacher, Father, and Master—God Himself—and that our relationship with Him should be rooted in humility and sincerity.
Both readings call us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and our relationship with God. Ezekiel’s vision reminds us of God’s desire to be present in our lives, but it also challenges us to purify our hearts and actions. Jesus’ teachings warn us against hypocrisy and the temptation to seek recognition or power. Together, these readings invite us to live with humility, sincerity, and a deep commitment to following God’s will. In our daily lives, we are called to avoid the traps of self-importance and instead focus on serving others and living in a way that reflects God’s love and truth. Let us strive to be people of integrity, whose words and actions align with our faith, and whose hearts are humble and open to God’s presence.