Daily Readings - Mon Aug 12 2024

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

The readings today invite us to reflect on the presence of God in our lives, even in the midst of uncertainty and challenge. In the first reading from Ezekiel, we encounter a dramatic vision of God’s glory—a whirlwind, a great cloud, and four living creatures. Ezekiel, a priest in exile, is called by God to speak to His people in a time of great turmoil. The vision is a reminder of God’s transcendence and His ability to reveal Himself in ways that surpass human understanding. Ezekiel’s experience is not just a call to prophecy but also a call to trust in God’s plan, even when the future seems unclear. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about His impending suffering and death, and then He demonstrates His divine authority in a humble and unexpected way. When asked about paying the temple tax, Jesus provides the money miraculously through a fish. This story teaches us about trust in God’s providence and the importance of humility. Jesus, though divine, submits to human obligations to avoid giving offense, showing us how to live in harmony with others while remaining faithful to God’s will. These readings remind us that God is always present, even in difficult times. Ezekiel’s vision assures us of God’s glory and power, while the Gospel calls us to trust in God’s providence and to live with humility. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace faith in the face of uncertainty and to serve others with generosity and kindness. May we, like Ezekiel and the disciples, trust in God’s plan and live with the humility and courage that faith requires.