Daily Readings for February 23, 2016

1ST READING

We have a moral responsibility to care for the weak and helpless. We should not ignore and dismiss them. This is why Pope Francis awakens our consciousness to be the Church of the Poor. Historically, the Church has been associated with the rich and powerful to the detriment of Her true mission. We all need to develop a healthy and conscience-driven desire to be “pro-poor.”

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20

10 Hear the word of the Lord, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah! 16 Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; 17 learn to do good. Make justice your aim, redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. 18 Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. 19 If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; 20 but if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken!

P S A L M

Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23

R: To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

8 “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offerings are before me always. 9 I take from your house no bullock, no goats out of your fold.” (R) 16 “Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, 17 though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” (R) 21 “When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes. 23 He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus is scathing when He corrects the attitudes of the religious leaders and the rich. It is obvious that they are not interested in serving the poor. Let us not be counted among them. Let us ensure that every program we set up in the service of the Kingdom of God has room for the poor and marginalized. Let us remember them in our prayers and may they always be foremost in our minds.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Matthew 23:1-12

1 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you must be your  servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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