Daily Readings - Wed Feb 14 2018
First Reading - Joel 2.12-18
Joel
12Now, therefore, the Lord says: "Be converted to me with your whole heart, in fasting and weeping and mourning.13And rend your hearts, and not your garments, and convert to the Lord your God. For he is gracious and merciful, patient and full of compassion, and steadfast despite ill will14Who knows if he might convert and forgive, and bequeath a blessing after him, a sacrifice and a libation to the Lord your God15Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call an assembly16Gather the people, sanctify the church, unite the elders, gather together the little ones and infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom depart from his bed, and the bride from her bridal chamber17Between the vestibule and the altar, the priests, the ministers of the Lord, will weep, and they will say: "Spare, O Lord, spare your people. And do not bequeath your inheritance into disgrace, so that the nations would rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ 18The Lord has been zealous for his land, and he has spared his people
Second Reading - 2 Corinthians 5.20 – 6.2
Gospel - Matthew 6.1-6, 16-18
Matthew
1"Pay attention, lest you perform your justice before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you shall not have a reward with your Father, who is in heaven2Therefore, when you give alms, do not choose to sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the towns, so that they may be honored by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing4so that your almsgiving may be in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you5And when you pray, you should not be like the hypocrites, who love standing in the synagogues and at the corners of the streets to pray, so that they may be seen by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward6But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and having shut the door, pray to your Father in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you16And when you fast, do not choose to become gloomy, like the hypocrites. For they alter their faces, so that their fasting may be apparent to men. Amen I say to you, that they have received their reward17But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face18so that your fasting will not be apparent to men, but to your Father, who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the essence of true spirituality and our relationship with God. The prophet Joel calls us to return to God with our whole heart, emphasizing the importance of genuine repentance over outward displays. This call is set against a backdrop of crisis, urging the people to seek God’s mercy through fasting, weeping, and a sincere change of heart. Joel reminds us that true conversion involves rending our hearts, not just our garments, seeking God’s compassion and steadfast love.
The second reading from 2 Corinthians complements Joel’s message by highlighting our role as ambassadors for Christ, urging reconciliation with God. Paul emphasizes that Christ, who was without sin, became sin for us, allowing us to become the righteousness of God. This profound truth underscores the urgency of not taking God’s grace in vain, recognizing that the present moment is a favorable time for salvation. It encourages us to embrace this day of grace with openness and gratitude.
In the Gospel, Matthew teaches us about the proper way to practice almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Jesus warns against hypocrisy, advising us to perform these acts in secret so that our reward comes from God, not from human praise. This teaching from the Sermon on the Mount reminds us that true piety is about sincerity and humility, seeking God’s approval over human recognition.
Applying these readings to our daily lives, we are called to examine our motivations and ensure our actions are rooted in a genuine relationship with God. Let us not seek to impress others with our religious practices, but rather cultivate a deep, personal connection with our Father in secret. In doing so, we honor God’s desire for sincerity and humility. The moral lesson here is the importance of living with hearts open to conversion and reconciliation, embracing each moment as an opportunity to grow closer to God. Let us cherish the present as a time of grace, living with sincerity and humility, mindful that our true reward comes from God.