Daily Readings - Mon Aug 14 2023
Deuteronomy
12And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,13and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?14To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.15Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today.16Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.17For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.18He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.19And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.20Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.21He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.22Your forefathers who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Matthew
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 powerful messages about faith, obedience, and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of the core of our relationship with God: to fear Him, love Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly. Moses calls the Israelites to live according to God’s commandments, emphasizing that their identity and blessings come from being chosen by God. This passage is set in the context of Moses’ farewell address, urging the people to remain faithful as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It highlights God’s justice, love for the vulnerable, and the call to care for the stranger, reflecting the heart of the covenant.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents a poignant scene where Jesus predicts His own death and resurrection, a moment that fills the disciples with sorrow. Yet, in the midst of this heaviness, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority and humility. When asked about the temple tax, Jesus uses a miraculous sign—a shekel found in a fish’s mouth—to pay the tax. This act shows His willingness to submit to earthly authorities while also revealing His divine power. The connection between the readings lies in their emphasis on trust and obedience. Deuteronomy calls us to trust God’s ways, while Matthew shows Jesus trusting in the Father’s plan, even in the face of suffering.
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 with our whole hearts, remembering that our blessings come from Him. Like Jesus, we are asked to trust in God’s plan, even when it leads us through difficult or uncertain times. Let us embrace the call to live with faith, generosity, and obedience, trusting that God’s plan is always greater than our own. May we, like Jesus, submit to His will and find joy in serving Him and others.