Daily Readings - Mon Aug 12 2024

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

The readings today invite us to reflect on the presence of God in our lives, even in the midst of uncertainty and challenge. In the first reading from Ezekiel, we encounter a dramatic vision of God’s glory—a whirlwind, a great cloud, and four living creatures. Ezekiel, a priest in exile, is called by God to speak to His people in a time of great turmoil. The vision is a reminder of God’s transcendence and His ability to reveal Himself in ways that surpass human understanding. Ezekiel’s experience is not just a call to prophecy but also a call to trust in God’s plan, even when the future seems unclear. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about His impending suffering and death, and then He demonstrates His divine authority in a humble and unexpected way. When asked about paying the temple tax, Jesus provides the money miraculously through a fish. This story teaches us about trust in God’s providence and the importance of humility. Jesus, though divine, submits to human obligations to avoid giving offense, showing us how to live in harmony with others while remaining faithful to God’s will. These readings remind us that God is always present, even in difficult times. Ezekiel’s vision assures us of God’s glory and power, while the Gospel calls us to trust in God’s providence and to live with humility. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace faith in the face of uncertainty and to serve others with generosity and kindness. May we, like Ezekiel and the disciples, trust in God’s plan and live with the humility and courage that faith requires.