Daily Readings - Sun Oct 18 2020

¹Thus says the Lord to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I hold, so that I may subjugate the nations before his face, and I may turn the backs of kings, and I may open the doors before him, and so that the gates will not be shut⁴For the sake of Jacob, my servant, and Israel, my elect, I have even called you by your name. I have taken you up, and you have not known me⁵I am the Lord, and there is no one else. There is no god beside me. I girded you, and you have not known me⁶So may those who are from the rising of the sun, and those who are from its setting, know that there is no one beside me. I am the Lord, and there is no other

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 1

¹Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ²Grace and peace to you. We give thanks to God always for all of you, keeping the memory of you in our prayers without ceasing³remembering your work of faith, and hardship, and charity, and enduring hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ, before God our Father⁴For we know, brothers, beloved of God, of your election⁵For our Gospel has not been among you in word alone, but also in virtue, and in the Holy Spirit, and with a great fullness, in the same manner as you know we have acted among you for your sake

Matthew

Chapter 22

¹⁵Then the Pharisees, going out, took counsel as to how they might entrap him in speech¹⁶And they sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying: "Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and that you teach the way of God in truth, and that the influence of others is nothing to you. For you do not consider the reputation of men¹⁷Therefore, tell us, how does it seem to you? Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar, or not?¹⁸But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said: "Why do you test me, you hypocrites¹⁹Show me the coin of the census tax." And they offered him a denarius²⁰And Jesus said to them, "Whose image is this, and whose inscription?²¹They said to him, "Caesar’s." Then he said to them, "Then render to Caesar what is of Caesar; and to God what is of God.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the interplay between divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the call to live a life of faith and integrity. In the first reading from Isaiah, we encounter Cyrus, a Persian king who, though not an Israelite, is chosen by God to fulfill His purposes. This passage reminds us that God’s plan is universal and that He can work through anyone, regardless of their background or belief, to accomplish His will. It highlights God’s sovereignty and His ability to use even those who do not know Him to bring about justice and freedom for His people. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians shifts our focus to the lived experience of faith. Paul praises the Thessalonians for their “work of faith, hardship, and charity,” emphasizing that their actions are a testament to God’s grace at work in their lives. This reading underscores the idea that faith is not merely a set of beliefs but a way of life that transforms us and compels us to love and serve others. It invites us to examine how our own faith is expressed in our daily choices and actions, and whether we are living as witnesses to God’s love in the world. In the Gospel, Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees and Herodians, who attempt to trap Him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus’ response, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s,” is a masterful teaching that transcends the political and religious tensions of His time. It calls us to recognize that our lives are lived in two realms: the earthly and the divine. While we have responsibilities to the world around us, our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. Jesus’ words challenge us to live with integrity, ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to both civic duty and spiritual devotion. Today’s readings, therefore, invite us to embrace a balanced and integrated approach to life. We are called to trust in God’s sovereignty, even when His ways seem mysterious or unpredictable. We are also called to live out our faith with authenticity, allowing it to shape our relationships, decisions, and actions. Finally, we are reminded that our ultimate identity and purpose come from God, and we must strive to honor Him in every aspect of our lives. May we, like the Thessalonians, be known for our faith, love, and endurance, and may we, like Cyrus, be willing instruments of God’s plan, even when we do not fully understand it.