Daily Readings - Sun Oct 18 2020
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.
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.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the interplay between divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the call to live a life of faith and integrity. In the first reading from Isaiah, we encounter Cyrus, a Persian king who, though not an Israelite, is chosen by God to fulfill His purposes. This passage reminds us that God’s plan is universal and that He can work through anyone, regardless of their background or belief, to accomplish His will. It highlights God’s sovereignty and His ability to use even those who do not know Him to bring about justice and freedom for His people.
The second reading from 1 Thessalonians shifts our focus to the lived experience of faith. Paul praises the Thessalonians for their “work of faith, hardship, and charity,” emphasizing that their actions are a testament to God’s grace at work in their lives. This reading underscores the idea that faith is not merely a set of beliefs but a way of life that transforms us and compels us to love and serve others. It invites us to examine how our own faith is expressed in our daily choices and actions, and whether we are living as witnesses to God’s love in the world.
In the Gospel, Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees and Herodians, who attempt to trap Him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus’ response, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s,” is a masterful teaching that transcends the political and religious tensions of His time. It calls us to recognize that our lives are lived in two realms: the earthly and the divine. While we have responsibilities to the world around us, our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. Jesus’ words challenge us to live with integrity, ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to both civic duty and spiritual devotion.
Today’s readings, therefore, invite us to embrace a balanced and integrated approach to life. We are called to trust in God’s sovereignty, even when His ways seem mysterious or unpredictable. We are also called to live out our faith with authenticity, allowing it to shape our relationships, decisions, and actions. Finally, we are reminded that our ultimate identity and purpose come from God, and we must strive to honor Him in every aspect of our lives. May we, like the Thessalonians, be known for our faith, love, and endurance, and may we, like Cyrus, be willing instruments of God’s plan, even when we do not fully understand it.