Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Priests)
Psalm 99 : 2, 3, 4, 5
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God; He created us and we are His people, the sheep of His fold.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His Name.
For the Lord is good; His love lasts forever and His faithfulness through all generations.
Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Priests)
Ephesians 2 : 1-10
You were dead, through the faults and sins. Once, you lived through them, according to this world, and followed the Sovereign Ruler Who reigns between heaven and earth, and Who goes on working, in those who resist the faith.
All of us belonged to them, at one time, and we followed human greed; we obeyed the urges of our human nature and consented to its desires. By ourselves, we went straight to the judgment, like the rest of humankind.
But God, Who is rich in mercy, revealed His immense love. As we were dead through our sins, He gave us life, with Christ. By grace, you have been saved! And He raised us to life, with Christ, giving us a place with Him in heaven.
In showing us such kindness, in Christ Jesus, God willed to reveal, and unfold in the coming ages, the extraordinary riches of His grace. By the grace of God, you have been saved, through faith.
This has not come from you : it is God’s gift. This was not the result of your works, so you are not to feel proud. What we are, is God’s work. He has created us, in Christ Jesus, for the good works He has prepared, that we should devote ourselves to them.
Liturgical Colour : Green
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this Sunday all of us are reminded of our obligation as Christians, to obey the Lord our God, His will, His Law and commandments. Each and every one of us as the disciples and followers of the Lord ought to live our lives righteously and virtuously as He has always shown and taught us how to do, and be good and dedicated men and women, who also obey the rules and laws of whichever countries and states that we belong to, or wherever we dwell in. We should always strive to live a good, worthy and exemplary lives that everyone all around us can be inspired by, whenever they witness our works, actions and deeds, and in how we interact with each other.
In our first reading today, we heard from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, in which God spoke through Isaiah to His people, revealing His intent in the many years and even centuries to come, as we heard of one King Cyrus the Great, whom we know today as the first of the Great King of Persia, which was then also known as the Achaemenid Empire. This was in fact a prophecy and premonition of what would come to happen, as the prophet Isaiah and his ministry among the people of Judah happened about two centuries before the time of King Cyrus of Persia. With regards to the Israelites, King Cyrus has a special role and part in their history because this King would liberate the people of Israel and their descendants, who were exiled to Assyria, Babylon and far-off regions, when he came to power over the land.
This mention and praise of Cyrus the Great was notable as usually most of the people who did not belong to the Israelites and their group, were often wicked and evil in their ways of life and in their lack of faith in God. However, King Cyrus the Great was widely seen and regarded as a great example and role model, and was also a paragon of virtue and righteousness, as per the many historical and Scriptural records and evidences. He was often lauded not just as a great and mighty ruler, and conqueror of many nations, but also as a virtuous, just and pragmatic ruler, who respected the customs of the many people who lived in his entire vast dominion, and he also respected the worship of the Lord, God of Israel, allowing the people of Israel to return to their lands and to worship their God.
As such, through the great examples of King Cyrus the Great of Persia, all of us are reminded that as Christians, each and every one of us are also exhorted and expected to do what God had told and taught us to do in our lives. What God wants from us is our faith and commitment to Him, in doing His will and in living our lives in accordance with His ways, as alluded by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Thessalonians, that is part of our second reading passage today. St. Paul mentioned the work of the faith of the people of God, their labour of love and their endurance in remaining faithful despite the many challenges and obstacles that they had to endure throughout their journey of faith and life. This is again a reminder that as Christians, each and every one of us are expected to follow the path that the Lord has shown us, and dedicate ourselves to actions and works that are worthy of God.
This is then related to what we heard in our Gospel passage today, when the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law attempted to test the Lord and trap Him, when they asked of Him if they should be paying taxes to Caesar or not. This question seemed to be a rather ordinary question, but if we understand the implication behind this seemingly simple question, and also the context of the time, then we can better appreciate how dangerous and tricky it was for the Lord, for Him to answer this question. Why was that so? That is because should the Lord have answered that they all should be paying taxes to Caesar, then the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law could use that to discredit the Lord and rally the people’s opinion against Him, because back then, the Romans and their rule over the Jewish people and lands were generally disliked and even hated, especially due to the taxes imposed on them, and the way the Romans treated them as subordinates and subjects.
On the other hand, had the Lord responded by saying that they should not be paying taxes to Caesar, or the Roman Emperor, then the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law could also accuse the Lord of trying to incite the people to disobey the Romans and to start a rebellion, which was a very great treason and fault against the state, which was punishable by death. This was exactly the same accusation which eventually the chief priests, the elders and the Pharisees placed against the Lord when He was condemned to death and handed over to the Romans, under Pontius Pilate, to be crucified, because they accused Him of rebelling against the Emperor and by claiming to be the King of the Jews, which was grave treason. Refusing to pay taxes and the obligations to the Roman state is one of the signs of this treason, and those wicked fellow could have used the Lord’s refusal against Him.
Instead, the Lord knew their intentions and purposes very well when they asked Him that sinister question, and He evaded the troubles altogether, and showed His Wisdom by saying that, since the silver coin or the denarius that they paid their taxes with has the face of the Roman Emperor or Caesar embossed on them, therefore, they should all give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and then at the same time, also give back to God what belongs to God. With this single sentence, the Lord silenced all of His critics and enemies, and made it clear that as His followers, disciples and people, we are not called to resist the worldly obligations or works that we are all called to do, such as obeying the laws and customs of states, in doing our civic duties and obligations, in living our lives ever more faithfully as children of God and as righteous men and women, examples for everyone around us to follow.
Then, all of us should also give back to God what belongs to God just as the Lord Jesus Himself had mentioned, and what is something that belongs to God? It is all of us, brothers and sisters in Christ. God has created each and every one of us, calling us all to do what He has taught and shown us to do. And since we belong to God and we are His people, His beloved children, therefore, it is only right that we should do what is pleasing to God, and to give Him what truly belongs to Him, that is our hearts, our love and devotion. Each and every one of us should always strive to put the Lord as the centre and focus of our whole lives and existence, and do what we can so that we may always glorify Him by our lives, our every actions, works and deeds.
Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, as we have heard throughout our Scripture passages today and discussed earlier, let us all do our best in each and every moments of our lives so that we may always be exemplary in our every actions and works throughout each and every opportunities that God has given to us all each day. Let us all be good and obedient citizens, who follow and observe the laws and rules of the state as long as they are for the common good and not a violation of the Divine Law of God. Let us all be exemplary citizens and people, whose lives are truly good examples and inspirations for all those whom we encounter daily in life, that it is not just that we obey the Lord faithfully in our actions and way of life, but we also become the shining beacons of virtue and faith to all others, like Cyrus the Great, the saints and other great examples of our past history had done.
May the Lord continue to guide and strengthen each and every one of us so that in our every commitment and efforts to serve Him, we will always continue to walk ever more devotedly in the path that He has shown us. May He empower us all to continue to carry out our works and actions in accordance with His will, in obedience to His Law and commandments, at all times. May God bless us all and may He remain with us all, in all times and opportunities. Amen.
Liturgical Colour : Green
Matthew 22 : 15-21
At that time, the Pharisees went away, considering how they could trap Jesus by His own words. They sent to Him their disciples, along with members of Herod’s party, saying, “Master, we know that You are an honest Man; and truly teach God’s way. You are not influenced by others, nor are You afraid of anyone. So tell us what You think : is it against the Law to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
But Jesus understood their evil intentions, and said to them, “Hypocrites, why are you trying to trap Me? Show me the coin with which you pay taxes.” They showed Him a silver coin, and Jesus said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose name?” They answered, “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus replied, “So give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.”
Liturgical Colour : Green
1 Thessalonians 1 : 1-5b
From Paul, Sylvanus and Timothy, to the Church of Thessalonica, which is in God, the Father, and in Christ Jesus, the Lord. May the peace and grace of God be with you. We give thanks to God, at all times, for you, and remember you in our prayers. We constantly recall, before God, our Father, the work of your faith, the labours of your love, and your endurance, in waiting for Christ Jesus our Lord.
We remember, brothers and sisters, the circumstances of your being called. The Gospel we brought you was such, not only in words. Miracles, the Holy Spirit, and plenty of everything, were given to you.
Liturgical Colour : Green
Psalm 95 : 1 and 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10a and 10c
Sing to YHVH a new song, sing to YHVH, all the earth! Recall His glory among the nations, tell all the peoples His wonderful deeds.
How great is YHVH and worthy of praise! Above all gods, He is to be feared. For all other gods are worthless idols, but YHVH is the One Who made the heavens.
Give to YHVH, you families of nations, give to YHVH glory and strength. Give to YHVH the glory due His Name; bring gifts and enter His courts.
Worship YHVH with holy celebrations; stand in awe of Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “He will judge the peoples with justice.”
Liturgical Colour : Green
Isaiah 45 : 1, 4-6
Thus says YHVH to His anointed, to Cyrus : “I have taken you by the right hand to subdue nations before you and strip kings of their armour, to open the gateways before you so that they will be closed no more.”
“For the sake of Jacob My servant, of Israel My chosen one, I have called you by your name and given you your mission although you do not know Me. I am YHVH, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I armed you when you did not know Me, so that, from the rising to the setting of the sun, all may know that there is no one besides Me; I am YHVH, and there is no other.”
Liturgical Colour : Red
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we listened to the words of the Sacred Scriptures, all of us are reminded that as Christians, we have all believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Each one of us have been called to embrace the Lord wholeheartedly and we have been called to follow His path and entrust ourselves to His Wisdom and truth. Otherwise how can we call ourselves as genuine Christians, as those whom the Lord had called and chosen to be His own beloved people, to be His beloved children? All of us may have to stand up and defend our faith even in the face of persecution, and are we ready for that? As Christians, we are called and reminded to remain firm and resolute amidst all these and be truly courageous in faith at all times.
In our first reading today, we heard of the reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Church and the faithful in Ephesus. In that passage, we heard of the Apostle speaking to the faithful there of the faith that each and every one of them shared as members of the same Church of Christ, the Body of Christ, the union of all the faithful people of God. And St. Paul reminded all of them what it truly meant to be Christians, to be good and true disciples and followers of the Lord. St. Paul encouraged them and strengthened them, reminding them that all of them were not alone in their struggle and journey of faith. They had each other and most importantly, the Lord Himself was always with them throughout their lives and journeys.
Back then, the Church everywhere including in Ephesus were struggling with challenges and difficulties, with divisions from within and challenges from external sources such as persecutions from both the Jewish authorities and the Roman state. There were many of the faithful who probably were facing hardships and persecutions, arrested and tortured, and even martyred for their faith. It was a truly difficult time to be Christians, and yet, many of the faithful remained firm in their faith and obedience to God, and they did not allow fear or uncertainty from persuading them to abandon their faith, and their great examples of courage and faith became source of inspiration for many others all around them.
That was why St. Paul encouraged and affirmed the faithful in Ephesus for their faith in the Lord, for all that they had done, in sacrificing their time, effort and even well-being to remain faithful and true to God. He told then to trust in the Lord and how everything will be subjected to the dominion and power of the triumphant Christ. No matter how they might be rejected and condemned by the world, the Lord will always win in the end, and all those who remain firm in their faith will be saved in the end, and will receive the fullness of God’s promises of love and grace. None of those who have entrusted themselves to God will be lost from Him.
Then, in our Gospel passage today we heard of the words of the Lord highlighting to the people and to His disciples how that there would be persecution and hardships that they all would have to face, just as He Himself, the Son of Man, would have to suffer most grievously for the sake of all mankind. The Lord Himself took up the massive and most certainly unimaginable burden of the Cross so that by such an action of pure and most selfless love for us, He might offer on all of our behalf, the worthy offering for the atonement and forgiveness of all the multitudes of our sins. And this great example of faith and obedience, and the hope and light that our Lord Himself had brought into our midst, ought to remind us all just how fortunate and blessed all of us truly are.
And the Lord highlighted the fact that just as the world itself had persecuted Him, therefore the disciples and followers of the Lord might have to suffer as well. The long history of the Church itself showed us just how many and even innumerable, the saints and martyrs who had suffered and died before us. And all of that serve as a reminder to us all that we should not and cannot afford to be complacent or idle in living our faith, as there will likely be a lot of temptation, pressure, and even coercions and forces trying to lead us down the wrong path, all around us. If we are not vigilant and careful, we may likely end up in the wrong path. That is why we should be inspired by the lives and examples of all the saints, those holy men and women who had lived their lives worthily and gone before us to God.
Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch, one of the earliest Church fathers and leaders of the Church, whose faith and dedication to the Lord was truly exemplary and great, and whose commitment and obedience, focus and emphasis on the Lord remains strong and firm despite his important position in the Church, as he led the flock entrusted to him with great zeal, courage and faith at all times. St. Ignatius of Antioch was one of the earliest Bishops of Antioch, as the successor of the Apostles, in being a disciple and follower of St. John the Apostle according to the Apostolic and Chruch traditions. He was also known as Theophorus, or God-Bearer, as according to some traditions, he was one of the children who had been brought to the Lord and blessed by Him.
St. Ignatius of Antioch dedicated himself to the well-being of his people, in spreading the Good News of God and the truth, love and hope that the Lord has revealed to His Apostles and disciples. Antioch was then one of the early and major centres of the Christian faith, and many people each day converted to the faith thanks to the efforts of the Apostles and their successors, including that of St. Ignatius of Antioch himself. St. Ignatius of Antioch courageously carried out his duties with great humility, and with great commitment and devotion, to be the Good Shepherd in managing the people of God and leading them to the right path. He was martyred during one of the persecutions of Christians running rampant at that time, but until the very end, St. Ignatius of Antioch has always remained firm in his conviction and faith in God, in serving Him all the time, throughout his life.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we remember what we have discerned and discussed earlier regarding the readings from the Sacred Scriptures, and as we heed and remember the life and examples of St. Ignatius of Antioch, let us all hence do our best so that we may truly embody our Christian faith at all times, and be truly exemplary and faithful in all things. Let us all continue to do our best, to work and to do our part as servants and followers of the Lord, in all things, so that we may be the shining and bright beacons of God’s light and Good News, to bring forth His hope and light to all the nations. May God be with us always, and may He empower each and every one of us to be truly worthy and faithful, despite the many trials and challenges facing us throughout our lives and journey. Amen.
Liturgical Colour : Red
Luke 12 : 8-12
At that time, Jesus said to the people, “I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before people, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the Angels of God. But the one who denies Me before others will be denied before the Angels of God. There will be pardon for the one who criticises the Son of Man, but there will be no pardon for the one who slanders the Holy Spirit.”
“When you are brought before the synagogues, and before governors and rulers, do not worry about how you will defend yourself, or what to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you have to say.”
Liturgical Colour : Red
Psalm 8 : 2-3a, 4-5, 6-7
O YHVH, our YHVH, how great is Your Name throughout the earth! And Your glory in the heavens above. Even the mouths of children and infants exalt Your glory in front of Your foes.
When I observe the heavens, the work of Your hands, the moon, and the stars You set in their place – what is man, that You be mindful of him; the Son of Man, that You should care for Him?
Yet You made Him a little less than a god; You crowned Him with glory and honour, and gave Him the works of Your hands; You have put all things under His feet.
