Daily Readings - Sat Jul 09 2022
Isaiah
1In the year in which king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, sublime and exalted, and the things that were under him filled the temple2The Seraphims were standing above the throne. One had six wings, and the other had six wings: with two they were covering his face, and with two they were covering his feet, and with two they were flying3And they were crying out to one another, and saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!4And the lintels above the hinges were shaken at the voice of the one crying out. And the house was filled with smoke5And I said: "Woe to me! For I have remained silent. For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live in the midst of a people having unclean lips, and I have seen with my eyes the King, the Lord of hosts!6And one of the Seraphims flew to me, and in his hand was a burning coal, which he had taken with tongs from the altar7And he touched my mouth, and he said, "Behold, this has touched your lips, and so your iniquities will be taken away, and your sin will be cleansed.8And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send?" and, "Who will go for us?" And I said: "Here I am. Send me.
Matthew
24The disciple is not above the teacher, nor is the servant above his master25It is sufficient for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant, like his master. If they have called the Father of the family, ‘Beelzebub,’ how much more those of his household26Therefore, do not fear them. For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed, nor hidden that shall not be known27What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light. And what you hear whispered in the ear, preach above the rooftops28And do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. But instead fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell29Are not two sparrows sold for one small coin? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father30For even the hairs of your head have all been numbered31Therefore, do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows32Therefore, everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father, who is in heaven33But whoever will have denied me before men, I also will deny before my Father, who is in heaven
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to humility, courage, and trust in God’s providence. In the first reading, Isaiah describes his profound encounter with God in the temple, where he is overcome by a sense of unworthiness because of his "unclean lips." Yet, through the purifying action of the burning coal, he is cleansed and empowered to respond to God’s call, saying, "Here I am. Send me." This passage reminds us that God’s grace can transform our limitations and fears into a willingness to serve His mission. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the challenges they will face, urging them not to fear those who can harm the body but to trust in the Father’s care. He reminds them that even the smallest details of their lives are known to God, and they are worth more than many sparrows. Jesus calls them—and us—to acknowledge Him without shame, even in the face of adversity.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Isaiah and the disciples are called to a mission that requires humility and courage. Isaiah’s vision in the temple is a moment of profound humility, where he recognizes his sinfulness but is purified and sent forth. Similarly, Jesus’ disciples are called to embrace their mission with faith, trusting that God will provide the strength they need. The common thread is the invitation to step out in faith, despite feelings of inadequacy or fear, and to rely on God’s grace and providence.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine our own response to God’s call. Do we, like Isaiah, humbly acknowledge our limitations and allow God to transform us? Do we, like the disciples, trust in God’s care even when the path ahead seems uncertain or difficult? The moral lesson is clear: our worth and identity come from God, and He equips us to face any challenge. Let us pray for the courage to embrace our mission, whatever it may be, and to trust in the Father’s loving care.