Daily Readings - Sat Jul 11 2020
Isaiah
1In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.2Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.3And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"4And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.5And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"6Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.7And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.8And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."
Matthew
24"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.25It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.26"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.27What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.30But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.31Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.32So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,33but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound moments of divine encounter and the call to courage. The first reading from Isaiah describes a visionary experience where the prophet is awestruck by God’s glory in the temple. Overwhelmed by his own unworthiness, he is cleansed by a seraphim, symbolizing God’s grace and readiness to send him forth. This passage highlights Isaiah’s transformation from fear to mission, illustrating God’s power to overcome human limitations.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this with Jesus’ teachings to His disciples. Jesus emphasizes that following Him may lead to persecution, but they should not fear. He encourages openness and trust in God’s providence, even in the face of adversity. This passage underscores the importance of faith and courage, reminding us that our worth is in God’s eyes, not the world’s.
Both readings connect through themes of humility and trust. Isaiah’s call and Jesus’ instructions remind us that despite our fears and inadequacies, God equips us for His purposes. In daily life, this means embracing our limitations with humility and trusting in God’s grace. We are called to stand firm in our faith, knowing that God’s care extends to every aspect of our lives. Let us, like Isaiah and the disciples, accept God’s call with courage and trust, living as witnesses of His love and truth.