Daily Readings - Sun Oct 22 2023

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

In today’s readings, we encounter profound insights into God’s universal plan and our role within it. The first reading from Isaiah introduces Cyrus, a Persian king, as an instrument of God’s will, highlighting that God works through unexpected individuals and circumstances to fulfill His purposes. This passage underscores God’s sovereignty and the notion that He alone is the source of all power and truth. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians shifts our focus to the transformative power of faith. Paul commends the Thessalonians for their vibrant faith, which is evident in their actions, perseverance, and love. This reading reminds us that genuine faith is not passive but actively shapes our lives and interactions, empowered by the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about living faithfully in the world. When questioned about taxes, Jesus’ response emphasizes the importance of fulfilling our duties in the earthly realm while prioritizing our commitment to God. This teaching encourages us to navigate the complexities of life with integrity, ensuring that our actions reflect our faith and values. These readings collectively invite us to embrace a holistic approach to faith. Just as God works through all people and circumstances, our faith should permeate every aspect of our lives. We are called to trust in God’s plan, live out our faith with authenticity, and maintain a balance between our earthly responsibilities and our divine calling. Let us strive to be instruments of God’s will, living with the same faith, endurance, and love exemplified by the Thessalonians, and rendering to God what is rightfully His in every area of our lives.