First reading Deuteronomy 10:12-22
The Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords
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.’
Responsorial Psalm 147:12-15,19-20
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
or
Alleluia!
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
Zion, praise your God!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates
he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders,
he feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth
and swiftly runs his command.
He makes his word known to Jacob,
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations;
he has not taught them his decrees.
Gospel Matthew 17:22-27
‘They will put the Son of Man to death’
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.’
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Being handed over
“The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men…” In today’s gospel, Jesus revealed to His disciples a profound truth: He would soon be delivered into the hands of those who had no regard for His divine authority. As the words echoed in their hearts, an overwhelming sadness washed over them. They had envisioned their Master as a figure of strength and authority, a leader who would triumph over adversities. The idea of Him being passively handed over was unthinkable. They longed for a powerful Messiah who would lead them to victory, not one destined for suffering, pain, and ultimately, death.
In our own lives, we share a similar desire for control and strength. We strive to shape our futures, to dictate the course of our journeys. However, life often surprises us, and we find ourselves “handed over” to challenges—illnesses that invade our bodies, circumstances that disrupt our plans, and crises that test our resolve. It is in these moments of vulnerability and uncertainty that we must remember to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. Though the path may be full of trials, we must not fear; He walks beside us in our moments of anguish, offering comfort and strength as we navigate our own passions and struggles.
Reflective question:
How can I live each moment in life, relying on Jesus?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
