Daily Readings - Mon Aug 25 2025
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages that call us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith and the integrity of our actions. The first reading from 1 Thessalonians expresses Paul’s gratitude for the vibrant faith of the early Christian community in Thessalonica. He highlights their “work of faith, labor of love, and endurance in hope,” which not only transformed their own lives but also inspired others. The Gospel from Matthew, however, presents a stark contrast as Jesus denounces the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He condemns their empty religious practices, such as lengthy prayers for show and their obsession with converting others while leading them further from true faith. Jesus’ words are a sharp reminder that our relationship with God cannot be reduced to outward appearances or hollow rituals.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on the authenticity of faith. Paul praises the Thessalonians because their faith was not just a set of beliefs but a way of life that flowed from their hearts and transformed their actions. In contrast, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for prioritizing appearances over substance, using religion to manipulate and control rather than to serve and love. Together, these readings challenge us to examine whether our faith is a living, breathing force in our lives or merely a facade.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we living as authentic disciples of Christ, or are we content with superficial religiosity? Do our words and actions reflect the love and hope of the Gospel, or do we, like the Pharisees, focus on external practices that hide an empty heart? The moral lesson here is clear: true faith must be rooted in sincerity and integrity. Let us strive to be like the Thessalonians, whose faith was so genuine and transformative that it inspired others. May we avoid the trap of hypocrisy and instead allow our faith to shine through in the way we love, serve, and live each day.