Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 14, 2017
First Reading: Deuteronomy 10.12-22
12And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,13To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?14Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.15Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.17For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:18He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.19Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.20Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.21He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.22Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.
Psalm 147
1Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.2The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.3He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.4He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.5Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.6The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.7Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.10He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.13For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.14He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.15He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.16He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.17He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: Matthew 17.22-27
22And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:23And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.24And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?25He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?26Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.27Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful reminders of God’s love, justice, and providence. The first reading from Deuteronomy calls us to live a life of fidelity to God, emphasizing that our relationship with Him is not just about rituals but about loving Him with our whole heart and soul. Moses reminds the Israelites—and us—that God’s ways are just and that He is a God who loves the vulnerable, including the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner. This passage invites us to reflect on how we live out our faith in tangible ways, especially in our treatment of others.
The Gospel from Matthew presents two key moments: Jesus’ prediction of His own death and resurrection, and the story of the temple tax. The first part reminds us of the profound mystery of Jesus’ mission and the sacrifice He would undertake for our salvation. The second part, where Jesus provides the temple tax through a miraculous catch of fish, shows His divine authority and His willingness to submit to the laws of His time, even though He is the Son of God. This teaches us about trust in God’s providence and the importance of living in harmony with the community, even when we may feel exempt.
Together, these readings call us to a life of faith, trust, and love. Like the Israelites, we are called to love God and care for those on the margins. Like Peter, we are invited to trust in God’s providence, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. And like Jesus, we are reminded that our ultimate hope lies in His resurrection and the promise of eternal life. Let us strive to live out these lessons in our daily lives, trusting in God’s plan and loving Him and others with our whole hearts.