Daily Readings - Mon Aug 26 2024
2 Thessalonians
1Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:2Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.4Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.5All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.11With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.12We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages that call us to reflect on our faith and our relationship with God. The first reading from 2 Thessalonians is a letter of encouragement and thanksgiving. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy express their gratitude for the growing faith and abundant love of the Thessalonian community. They remind the believers that their endurance of persecutions and tribulations is a sign of God’s just judgment, preparing them for the kingdom of God. The authors pray that God may fulfill His good work in them and that the name of Jesus Christ may be glorified in their lives.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents a stark contrast. Jesus addresses the scribes and Pharisees with a series of woes, condemning their hypocrisy. He accuses them of closing the kingdom of heaven to others, exploiting the vulnerable, and prioritizing outward appearances over genuine faith. Jesus critiques their legalistic approach to religion, where they focus on oaths and external rituals rather than the heart of God’s commandments. He calls them blind guides, more concerned with gold and gifts than the sacredness of the temple and the altar.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith and actions. Like the Thessalonians, we are called to endure trials with patience and trust in God’s plan. At the same time, we must avoid the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who prioritized appearances over authenticity. True faith is not about outward displays or legalistic observances but about living with integrity, compassion, and a heart centered on God. Let us strive to be people of genuine faith, enduring life’s challenges with grace and living in a way that reflects the love and justice of Christ.