Daily Readings - Sun Oct 22 2017
First Reading - Isaiah 45.1, 4-6
Isaiah
1Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;4For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.5I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
Second Reading - 1 Thessalonians 1.1-5ab
1 Thessalonians
1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;3Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;4Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
Gospel - Matthew 22.15-21
Matthew
15Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.16And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?21They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of God’s providence, the transformative power of faith, and the call to live as faithful stewards in both earthly and spiritual realms. The first reading from Isaiah presents Cyrus, a pagan king, as an instrument of God’s plan, highlighting that God can work through unexpected individuals and circumstances to fulfill His will. This passage reminds us that God’s ways are not limited by human boundaries and that He can use anyone to achieve His purposes, even those who do not know Him. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians expresses Paul’s gratitude for the vibrant faith of the Thessalonians, emphasizing that true faith is not just about words but about living a life of love, hope, and endurance, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel from Matthew challenges us to reflect on our relationship with the world and with God. Jesus’ response to the question about paying taxes to Caesar—“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”—teaches us about the balance between our earthly responsibilities and our ultimate allegiance to God. While we are called to be good citizens in this world, our hearts and lives must belong entirely to God. Together, these readings invite us to trust in God’s providence, live out our faith with integrity, and prioritize what truly belongs to God.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we living as faithful stewards of God’s gifts, using our talents, resources, and time to serve Him and others? Do we trust that God is at work even in unexpected ways, shaping the world and our lives according to His plan? Let us strive to render to God what is God’s by nurturing a deep prayer life, living with integrity, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. May we, like the Thessalonians, be known for our work of faith, our labor of love, and our steadfast hope in Christ.