Daily Readings - Sun Oct 22 2017
Isaiah
1"This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:4For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me.5I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me,6so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.
1 Thessalonians
1Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.2We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.3We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,5because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
Matthew
15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.16They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?19Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius,20and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"21"Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is 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.