Daily Readings - Mon Aug 09 2021
Deuteronomy
12"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,13and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?14Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.15Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day.16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.17For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.18He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.19Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.20You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear.21He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen.22Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.
Matthew
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 powerful lessons about living a life grounded in faith, trust, and service. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of God’s fundamental requirements: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him with our whole heart and soul. This passage emphasizes that our relationship with God is not about outward rituals alone but about the orientation of our hearts. It also highlights God’s special care for the vulnerable—the orphan, the widow, and the sojourner—calling us to love and compassion toward all, just as God has loved us. The reading concludes with a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the miraculous way He has multiplied His people, urging us to remain faithful and trust in His providence.
The Gospel from Matthew deepens this message of trust and humility. Jesus predicts His own suffering and death, which fills the disciples with sorrow. Yet, in the same passage, Jesus teaches Peter a lesson about freedom and trust in God’s provision. When faced with the question of paying the temple tax, Jesus uses a miraculous sign—the coin in the fish’s mouth—to demonstrate that as children of God, we are free from earthly obligations. However, He also chooses to pay the tax to avoid causing scandal, showing us the importance of living in harmony with others and not stumbling them in our faith. This teaches us to trust in God’s plan while also being mindful of our responsibilities and relationships with others.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Like the Israelites, we are called to love and serve God wholeheartedly, caring for those on the margins. Like Peter, we are reminded that our ultimate freedom comes from being children of God, but this freedom is not an excuse to disregard our duties or harm others. Instead, it calls us to live with humility, trust, and generosity. Let us ask ourselves: Are we orienting our hearts toward God? Are we trusting in His providence, even when the path seems uncertain? Are we serving others with love and compassion? May we, like Jesus, embrace both the freedom and the responsibilities of being His disciples, living in a way that reflects His love and light to the world.