Daily Readings - Mon Aug 23 2021
1 Thessalonians
1Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.2We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.3We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,5because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.8The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Matthew
13"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.14Verse omitted from the New International Version15"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.16"Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.'17You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?18You also say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.'19You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?20Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.21And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it.22And he who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by the one who sits on it.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of authentic faith and the dangers of hypocrisy. In the first reading, St. Paul praises the Thessalonians for their vibrant faith, which has inspired others and spread the Gospel far and wide. He highlights their conversion from idolatry to the living God and their patient waiting for the return of Jesus. This passage reminds us that true faith is not passive; it is active, transformative, and contagious. The Thessalonians’ lives were marked by work, endurance, and hope—qualities that flowed from their deep relationship with Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus denounces the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, who prioritized outward appearances over inward conversion. They were more concerned with human approval and power than with living out God’s will. Jesus condemns their exploitation of the vulnerable, their empty religious practices, and their misplaced priorities. This passage serves as a warning to us all: our faith must not be about self-interest or superficial piety. True faith is humble, selfless, and rooted in a genuine love for God and neighbor.
These readings call us to examine our own lives. Are we living as authentic disciples of Christ, or are we content with a shallow faith? Like the Thessalonians, we are called to let our faith shine through our actions, enduring trials with patience and hope. At the same time, we must guard against hypocrisy, ensuring that our words and deeds align with the Gospel. Let us strive to be people of integrity, whose faith is not merely a set of rules or rituals but a living, breathing relationship with the Lord. In doing so, we become witnesses of God’s love, inspiring others to seek Him with all their hearts.