Daily Readings - Mon Aug 13 2018

²On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin),³the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar canal, and the hand of the LORD was upon him there.⁴As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal.⁵And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness,²⁴And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down their wings.²⁵And there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads. When they stood still, they let down their wings.²⁶And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance.²⁷And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.²⁸Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Matthew

Chapter 17

²²As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men,²³and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed.²⁴When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the tax?"²⁵He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?"²⁶And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.²⁷However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself."

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter profound visions and humble acts that invite us to reflect on God’s presence and purpose in our lives. Ezekiel’s vision of the whirlwind and the four living creatures is a dramatic display of God’s power and majesty, while Jesus’ prediction of His death and resurrection, followed by the miracle of the fish with the shekel, reveals His divine wisdom and humility. Both readings call us to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear or challenging. Ezekiel’s vision was a message of hope to the exiles in Babylon, reminding them that God’s presence was still with them, even in their suffering. Similarly, Jesus’ words to His disciples were a test of their faith, urging them to trust in His divine plan despite the sorrow it would bring. The miracle of the fish with the shekel shows Jesus’ willingness to fulfill the law while also demonstrating His power over creation. These readings remind us that God’s ways are not always easy to understand, but they are always rooted in love and wisdom. As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us remember to trust in God’s plan, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. May we approach life with humility, recognizing that our struggles are not without purpose. Just as Ezekiel and the disciples were called to faith, so too are we. Let us strive to live in a way that reflects our trust in God’s presence and providence, and may we find strength in the knowledge that He is always with us.