Daily Readings - Sun Nov 05 2023
Malachi
14"Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the LORD Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations.
1"And now this admonition is for you, O priests.2If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name," says the LORD Almighty, "I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me.8But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi," says the LORD Almighty.9"So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law."10Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?
1 Thessalonians
7As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.8We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.9Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.13And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
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
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, humility, and authenticity. The first reading from Malachi addresses the priests who have strayed from their sacred duties, warning them of God’s displeasure. It emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful and true to one’s calling. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians highlights the Apostles’ selfless dedication to spreading the Gospel, illustrating their humility and love for the people. The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus’ critique of the scribes and Pharisees, who prioritized appearances over genuine faith, teaching that true greatness lies in humility.
These readings share a common theme: the call to live out our faith with sincerity and humility. Malachi’s warning against hypocrisy and Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees’s showmanship remind us that our actions must reflect our beliefs. The Apostles in Thessalonians exemplify this through their tireless and selfless work, showing that true service is rooted in love and humility. Together, these passages urge us to examine our own lives, ensuring our faith is not just a facade but a deep, transformative force.
In our daily lives, we are challenged to embody this authenticity. Let us strive to serve others with humility, avoiding the temptation to seek recognition or power. May we, like the Apostles, be dedicated to sharing God’s love without seeking glory for ourselves. As Jesus taught, true greatness comes not from titles or appearances, but from a humble heart. Let us reflect on our actions and intentions, ensuring they align with the sincerity and love that our faith demands.