Daily Bible Reading - August 26, 2020

 

1st READING 

Paul gives the Thessalonians a simple rule about the need to “pull their own weight” in the community. There is nothing worse for a community where some are idle and do not help in projects while others work hard. Laziness or sloth is one of the seven deadly sins. This needs to be eliminated for us to be faithful to the Gospel call of holiness.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18

6 We instruct you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to shun any brother who walks in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. 7 For you know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. 16 May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 17 This greeting is in my own hand, Paul’s. This is the sign in every letter; this is how I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

PSALM

Psalm 128:1-2, 4-5

R: Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

1 Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways! 2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. (R) 4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus continues to rail against the hypocrites in the religious and secular arenas of His day. I don’t think it is cynical to say that things seemed to have barely changed until now. Hypocrisy is a sin that will always be close at hand; thus, we need to ensure that its tentacles do not reach out and draw us into their grasp. Let us pray for the grace to live pure and holy lives where we always practice what we preach.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him.

Matthew 23:27-32

27 Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. 28 Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. 29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, 30 and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ 31 Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; 32 now fill up what your ancestors measured out!”

Reflect: “Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite.” – Charles Spurgeon

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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST 

thank You, Lord, for: 

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Read the Bible in one year - Psalms 6-10