Daily Readings - Sun Oct 18 2020
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
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.