💖 HOMILY - AUGUST 11 💖

First Reading - Deuteronomy 10:12-22 

Gospel - Matthew 17:22-27

In today’s readings, God invites us to see that true greatness lies not in power or privilege, but in humility, mercy, and love. In the first reading, Moses speaks to Israel with words that remain as fresh and urgent for us today as they were in the desert: “What does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve Him with all your heart and soul, and to keep His commandments.” It is a beautiful summary of our calling: to live with reverence toward God and compassion toward others.

Moses reminds the people that God is not partial, that He defends the cause of the orphan and widow, and loves the stranger. His greatness is not shown by dominating the weak but by lifting them up. And if we are to walk in His ways, we too must open our hearts to those who cannot repay us.

In the Gospel, Jesus again reveals this upside-down greatness. He speaks to His disciples of His coming passion and resurrection—His path to glory passes through suffering and self-giving love. Then, when confronted about paying the temple tax, He shows His freedom: as the Son, He owes nothing, yet He chooses to pay to avoid giving offense. Even in something as small as a coin from the mouth of a fish, Jesus models humility, peace, and the willingness to yield for the sake of others.

The message for us is clear: to follow Christ is to walk a path where love is greater than pride, mercy is greater than rights, and service is greater than status. We live in a world quick to demand and slow to yield, but Jesus calls us to be different—free enough to let go of what we “deserve,” generous enough to serve without counting the cost.

If God, who holds the heavens and the earth, stoops down to love the orphan, the widow, and the stranger, then we, His children, are never more like Him than when we bend low to serve in love. May we walk humbly with our God, confident that in losing ourselves for others, we find the joy of His Kingdom.