Daily Gospel
READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the Book of the prophet Ezekiel
Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c
On the fifth day of the fourth month of the fifth year,
that is, of King Jehoiachin’s exile,
The word of the LORD came to the priest Ezekiel,
the son of Buzi,
in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar.—
There the hand of the LORD came upon me.
As I looked, a stormwind came from the North,
a huge cloud with flashing fire enveloped in brightness,
from the midst of which (the midst of the fire)
something gleamed like electrum.
Within it were figures resembling four living creatures
that looked like this: their form was human.
Then I heard the sound of their wings,
like the roaring of mighty waters,
like the voice of the Almighty.
When they moved, the sound of the tumult was like the din of an army.
And when they stood still, they lowered their wings.
Above the firmament over their heads
something like a throne could be seen,
looking like sapphire.
Upon it was seated, up above, one who had the appearance of a man.
Upward from what resembled his waist I saw what gleamed like electrum;
downward from what resembled his waist I saw what looked like fire;
he was surrounded with splendor.
Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day
was the splendor that surrounded him.
Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Matthew
Mt 17:22-27
As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.”
And they were overwhelmed with grief.
When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
“Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes,” he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?”
When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him,
“Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you.”
Monday of 19th Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest – (Mt 17:22-27)
God’s Word for Us
Dear People of God,
The Word of God in today’s Gospel recounts two events:
The first one: Jesus fortold his disciples that He was going to Jerusalem in order to die, and after three days He would rise again.
The second event: The matter of Paying taxes to Caesar.
The fact that Jesus said Peter paid taxes to Caesar shows that: Although God has all power over the universe and man, he always humbles himself: God took a form of a human being like everyone else except the sin in order to love and be with human, as well as accompany their suffering. Jesus became humble and lowly when He accepted the human law of paying taxes to Caesar. He did so because of love and by this way He wants to harmonize, accompany, and support lowly and unfortunate people who are subject to the laws of man. Thereby, he wants to teach people the way how to live in get on well and harmonize with each other; Do not be arrogant and complacent; Do not think of yourself as the one who has the power to judge others. In fact, only God is the One who makes the law and has the right to judge people according to His law.
Today’s Word of God also speaks of the fact that Jesus foretold the disciples about His death in advance, and the disciples were very sad. This shows that in their minds and thoughts, they still believed that: they will gain power and glory in this world by following God; but they forget that the glory of eternal life to come is in the Kingdom of Heaven. In God’s work of salvation, Jesus had to go through suffering before coming to glory. The disciples did not realize that after the death of Jesus, after three days he would rise to glory.
Therefore, the Word of God today invites everyone to be more vigilant, to have faith and to trust completely in the God of Love. Only God is the One who has all power. Thanks to God and only in God, is the salvation given to people. Therefore, let’s rejoice, and believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who will always give peace, happiness and companionship, because Emmanuel, God be with us until the end of the world. Therefore, everyone, don’t worry, don’t be afraid, don’t be insecure when facing difficulties and challenges brought by the world. God will give Eternal Life to anyone who trusts, and relies on Him.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
