Daily Readings - Wed Aug 26 2020
2 Thessalonians
6In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,8nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.9We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.17I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Matthew
27"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.29"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.30And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'31So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.32Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of living authentically and with integrity. The first reading from 2 Thessalonians encourages believers to lead disciplined lives, working diligently and avoiding idleness. Paul emphasizes the importance of setting a good example and earning one’s keep, highlighting the value of self-sufficiency and community responsibility. The Gospel, from Matthew, presents a stark contrast as Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He likened them to whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled with decay within. This critique underscores the danger of prioritizing outward appearances over inner righteousness.
The context of these readings reveals their relevance. Paul’s letter addressed a community that may have been waiting passively for the Second Coming, urging them to remain productive and responsible. Jesus’ words, part of his broader condemnation of the Pharisees, highlight the tension between outward piety and inward corruption. Together, these readings emphasize the need for authenticity in faith, urging us to align our actions with our beliefs.
Reflecting on these teachings, we are called to examine our own lives. Do our actions reflect our faith, or do we merely go through the motions? Jesus’ condemnation of hypocrisy serves as a reminder to cultivate sincerity in our hearts and actions. True faith is not about appearances but about living with integrity. Let us strive to be authentic followers of Christ, ensuring our inner lives match our outward devotion, thus embodying the moral lesson of integrity and sincerity.