Daily Readings - Mon Aug 13 2018

²On the fifth of the month-it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin-³the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was upon him.⁴I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north-an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal,⁵and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was that of a man,²⁴When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.²⁵Then there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood with lowered wings.²⁶Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.²⁷I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.²⁸Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Matthew

Chapter 17

²²When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.²³They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief.²⁴After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"²⁵"Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes--from their own sons or from others?"²⁶"From others," Peter answered.²⁷"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter profound visions and humble acts that invite us to reflect on God’s presence and purpose in our lives. Ezekiel’s vision of the whirlwind and the four living creatures is a dramatic display of God’s power and majesty, while Jesus’ prediction of His death and resurrection, followed by the miracle of the fish with the shekel, reveals His divine wisdom and humility. Both readings call us to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear or challenging. Ezekiel’s vision was a message of hope to the exiles in Babylon, reminding them that God’s presence was still with them, even in their suffering. Similarly, Jesus’ words to His disciples were a test of their faith, urging them to trust in His divine plan despite the sorrow it would bring. The miracle of the fish with the shekel shows Jesus’ willingness to fulfill the law while also demonstrating His power over creation. These readings remind us that God’s ways are not always easy to understand, but they are always rooted in love and wisdom. As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us remember to trust in God’s plan, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. May we approach life with humility, recognizing that our struggles are not without purpose. Just as Ezekiel and the disciples were called to faith, so too are we. Let us strive to live in a way that reflects our trust in God’s presence and providence, and may we find strength in the knowledge that He is always with us.