Daily Readings - Wed Jul 18 2018
Isaiah
5Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury!6Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.7But he does not so intend, and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few;13For he says: "By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I remove the boundaries of peoples, and plunder their treasures; like a bull I bring down those who sit on thrones.14My hand has found like a nest the wealth of the peoples; and as one gathers eggs that have been forsaken, so I have gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved a wing or opened the mouth or chirped."15Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!16Therefore the Lord GOD of hosts will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors, and under his glory a burning will be kindled, like the burning of fire.
Matthew
25At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.27All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us toward humility and a deeper understanding of God's presence in our lives. The first reading from Isaiah warns against the pride of Assyria, which, though a tool of God's judgment, fails to acknowledge His hand in their power. Assyria's downfall comes from their belief that their strength and wisdom are their own achievements, ignoring the divine purpose they serve. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of recognizing God's role in our successes.
The Gospel from Matthew offers a contrasting perspective through Jesus' words. He praises the Father for revealing divine truths to the humble and simple, rather than the wise and powerful. Jesus emphasizes that true wisdom comes from a humble heart and a willingness to acknowledge God's revelation through Him. This highlights the virtue of humility and the need to trust in God's plan, rather than our own understanding.
These readings remind us to approach life with humility and openness to God's will. In our daily lives, we must avoid the trap of pride, recognizing that all our accomplishments are gifts from God. By embracing humility and trusting in His plan, we align ourselves with His will, just as Jesus taught. The moral lesson here is clear: true wisdom lies in humility and acknowledging God's presence in all we do. Let us strive to live with this wisdom, seeking God's guidance and remaining humble in our achievements.