Daily Readings - Mon Aug 14 2023
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 messages about faith, obedience, and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of the core of our relationship with God: to fear Him, love Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly. Moses calls the Israelites to live according to God’s commandments, emphasizing that their identity and blessings come from being chosen by God. This passage is set in the context of Moses’ farewell address, urging the people to remain faithful as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It highlights God’s justice, love for the vulnerable, and the call to care for the stranger, reflecting the heart of the covenant.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents a poignant scene where Jesus predicts His own death and resurrection, a moment that fills the disciples with sorrow. Yet, in the midst of this heaviness, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority and humility. When asked about the temple tax, Jesus uses a miraculous sign—a shekel found in a fish’s mouth—to pay the tax. This act shows His willingness to submit to earthly authorities while also revealing His divine power. The connection between the readings lies in their emphasis on trust and obedience. Deuteronomy calls us to trust God’s ways, while Matthew shows Jesus trusting in the Father’s plan, even in the face of suffering.
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 with our whole hearts, remembering that our blessings come from Him. Like Jesus, we are asked to trust in God’s plan, even when it leads us through difficult or uncertain times. Let us embrace the call to live with faith, generosity, and obedience, trusting that God’s plan is always greater than our own. May we, like Jesus, submit to His will and find joy in serving Him and others.