Daily Readings - Mon Aug 09 2021
Deuteronomy
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.
Matthew
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 lessons about living a life grounded in faith, trust, and service. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of God’s fundamental requirements: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him with our whole heart and soul. This passage emphasizes that our relationship with God is not about outward rituals alone but about the orientation of our hearts. It also highlights God’s special care for the vulnerable—the orphan, the widow, and the sojourner—calling us to love and compassion toward all, just as God has loved us. The reading concludes with a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the miraculous way He has multiplied His people, urging us to remain faithful and trust in His providence.
The Gospel from Matthew deepens this message of trust and humility. Jesus predicts His own suffering and death, which fills the disciples with sorrow. Yet, in the same passage, Jesus teaches Peter a lesson about freedom and trust in God’s provision. When faced with the question of paying the temple tax, Jesus uses a miraculous sign—the coin in the fish’s mouth—to demonstrate that as children of God, we are free from earthly obligations. However, He also chooses to pay the tax to avoid causing scandal, showing us the importance of living in harmony with others and not stumbling them in our faith. This teaches us to trust in God’s plan while also being mindful of our responsibilities and relationships with others.
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 wholeheartedly, caring for those on the margins. Like Peter, we are reminded that our ultimate freedom comes from being children of God, but this freedom is not an excuse to disregard our duties or harm others. Instead, it calls us to live with humility, trust, and generosity. Let us ask ourselves: Are we orienting our hearts toward God? Are we trusting in His providence, even when the path seems uncertain? Are we serving others with love and compassion? May we, like Jesus, embrace both the freedom and the responsibilities of being His disciples, living in a way that reflects His love and light to the world.