Daily Readings - Sun Oct 22 2017
Isaiah
1Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:4For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me.5I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me,6that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.
1 Thessalonians
1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:Grace to you and peace.2We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,5because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
Matthew
15Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his talk.16And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.17Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?19Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius.20And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?"21They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of God’s providence, the transformative power of faith, and the call to live as faithful stewards in both earthly and spiritual realms. The first reading from Isaiah presents Cyrus, a pagan king, as an instrument of God’s plan, highlighting that God can work through unexpected individuals and circumstances to fulfill His will. This passage reminds us that God’s ways are not limited by human boundaries and that He can use anyone to achieve His purposes, even those who do not know Him. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians expresses Paul’s gratitude for the vibrant faith of the Thessalonians, emphasizing that true faith is not just about words but about living a life of love, hope, and endurance, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to reflect on our relationship with the world and with God. Jesus’ response to the question about paying taxes to Caesar—“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”—teaches us about the balance between our earthly responsibilities and our ultimate allegiance to God. While we are called to be good citizens in this world, our hearts and lives must belong entirely to God. Together, these readings invite us to trust in God’s providence, live out our faith with integrity, and prioritize what truly belongs to God.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we living as faithful stewards of God’s gifts, using our talents, resources, and time to serve Him and others? Do we trust that God is at work even in unexpected ways, shaping the world and our lives according to His plan? Let us strive to render to God what is God’s by nurturing a deep prayer life, living with integrity, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. May we, like the Thessalonians, be known for our work of faith, our labor of love, and our steadfast hope in Christ.