Today’s readings remind us we are called by name. There are no gods before the One and True God. We should give thanks and remember we are loved and chosen. Ultimately, we are called to give to God what belong to God.
Every Hair
The First Reading from Isaiah says, “we are called by name.” This reminded me of the verse that God knows every hair on our heads. How many more verses prompt us about how well God knows us?! Here are just a few:
“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
“Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.” Isaiah 49:1
“He numbers the stars, and gives to all of them their names.” Psalm 147:4
“The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3
Give Thanks
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. How can we give thanks? Daily prayer for starters. Actively worshipping God in Mass, Adoration, participating fully in the Sacraments, and bestowing the kindness and mercy He shows us to others.
Pay to God what belongs to God
The Pharisees are at it again with their hypocritical ways in the Gospel reading. They try to trip up Jesus by asking him about payment to Ceasar. Jesus is too smart for their antics and simply replies to pay to Ceasar what is due to Ceasar and pay to God what belongs to Him.
This is a pretty famous encounter with political agendas all over it. It is not much different from conversations that happen every day in our modern world. Newscasters trying to get politicians to admit something to fulfill a certain agenda.
Civil duties are not the same as faithfulness to God though. If you truly know and love God, you know He comes (way) above any earthly duty or allegiance. Earthly power and responsibilities are temporary. They are all going to pass away. Whereas, your soul and life with (or without) God is eternal.
Honor the supremacy of God. Check yourself; are you putting God first and foremost or have you put other gods before Him?
[Readings: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21]
