Daily Readings - Mon Aug 11 2025
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 profound lessons on trust and faith. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of God's expectations: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly. It highlights God's justice and care for the vulnerable, urging us to love sojourners as we once were in Egypt. This passage, part of Moses's farewell, reinforces the covenant, emphasizing trust through obedience and compassion.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus's prediction of His death and resurrection, followed by the miracle of the tax. Despite the disciples' sorrow, Jesus demonstrates divine providence, providing the shekel through a fish. This illustrates trust in God's provision, even in adversity, and the importance of fulfilling obligations without causing offense.
These readings unite in their call to trust God. Deuteronomy teaches trust through obedience and compassion, while Matthew shows trust in God's providence. In our lives, this means following God's commandments, caring for the vulnerable, and trusting His guidance. The moral lesson is clear: trusting God leads to a life of obedience, compassion, and faith, knowing He provides and guides us through all circumstances.