First reading
Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Moses said to the people:
‘Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you? Only this: to fear the Lord your God, to follow all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, to keep the commandments and laws of the Lord that for your good I lay down for you today.
‘To the Lord your God belong indeed heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth and all it contains; yet it was on your fathers that the Lord set his heart for love of them, and after them of all the nations chose their descendants, you yourselves, up to the present day. Circumcise your heart then and be obstinate no longer; for the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, triumphant and terrible, never partial, never to be bribed. It is he who sees justice done for the orphan and the widow, who loves the stranger and gives him food and clothing. Love the stranger then, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. It is the Lord your God you must fear and serve; you must cling to him; in his name take your oaths. He it is you must praise, he is your God: for you he has done these great and terrible things you have seen with your own eyes; and though your fathers numbered only seventy when they went down to Egypt, the Lord your God has made you as many as the stars of heaven.’ The word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 147:12-15,19-20
Psalm 147:12-15,19-20
Gospel
Matthew 17:22-27
Matthew 17:22-27
One day when they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised to life again.’ And a great sadness came over them.
When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said, ‘Does your master not pay the half-shekel?’ ‘Oh yes’ he replied, and went into the house. But before he could speak, Jesus said, ‘Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do the kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?’ And when he replied, ‘From foreigners’, Jesus said, ‘Well then, the sons are exempt. However, so as not to offend these people, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that bites, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for you.’ The gospel of the Lord.
Reflection:
What does the Lord ask from you and me? Has the Lord demanded of us what is humanly impossible? Has God demanded of us what is inimical to our growth and relationship with one another? Not at all, “Only this: to fear the Lord your God, to follow all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, to keep the commandments and laws of the Lord that for your good I lay down for you today…It is he who sees justice done for the orphan and the widow, who loves the stranger and gives him food and clothing. Love the stranger then, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. ” In deed, God wants us to do his will, and trust him, God’s will can never be faulted. Moses has presented in today’s first reading God’s desire for the Israelites, for his people, for his children. We learn from the story that God loves his people tenderly and he demands of them to love in return.
Jesus presents the will of God to the people today but they are shocked and sad. Jesus informs his disciples about his early and painful. Yes, he knows that the will of the Lord cannot be faulted no matter how difficult it may appear. Doing God’s will is the simplest way to show that we love God; we trust him, fear him and hold him in highest esteem; and regard him as the highest authority. Jesus understands the symbol of authority, order and will; Jesus is always exemplary in his ways. This exemplary leadership style is revealed as he pays his tax. Jesus understand the need to be humble and to obey constituted authority, the laws of the land, and respond to the demand they require from us. Christians are to follow Jesus example; Do God’s will today!
Prayer:
I love you Lord above all things, I can not live without your love. Oh Lord God, help me to live according to your will always, I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.