Daily Readings - Tue Aug 18 2020
Ezekiel
1The word of the LORD came to me:2"Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because your heart is proud, and you have said, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,' yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god--3you are indeed wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you;4by your wisdom and your understanding you have made wealth for yourself, and have gathered gold and silver into your treasuries;5by your great wisdom in your trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart has become proud in your wealth--6therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you make your heart like the heart of a god,7therefore, behold, I will bring foreigners upon you, the most ruthless of the nations; and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and defile your splendor.8They shall thrust you down into the pit, and you shall die the death of the slain in the heart of the seas.9Will you still say, 'I am a god,' in the presence of those who kill you, though you are but a man, and no god, in the hands of those who slay you?10You shall die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of foreigners; for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD."
Matthew
23And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"26But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."27Then Peter said in reply, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?"28Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.30But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the dangers of pride and the importance of humility. In the first reading from Ezekiel, we hear a prophetic condemnation of the king of Tyre, who has allowed his wealth and power to lead him into arrogance. Ezekiel warns that the king’s pride has blinded him to his true nature as a human being, and his refusal to acknowledge God’s sovereignty will lead to his downfall. This passage serves as a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power and the necessity of remaining humble in the face of God’s greatness.
In the Gospel, Jesus continues this theme when he speaks to his disciples about the challenges of wealth. He famously says that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of heaven. This teaching shocks the disciples, who struggle to understand how anyone can be saved if wealth is such an obstacle. Jesus reassures them that while this may seem impossible from a human perspective, with God, all things are possible. Peter then asks about the reward for those who have left everything to follow Jesus, and Jesus responds by promising eternal life and a share in the glory of the kingdom to those who have sacrificed for his name. He also reminds them that many who seem first in this world will be last in the next.
These readings remind us that true greatness in God’s eyes is not measured by wealth, status, or power, but by humility and trust in God. The king of Tyre fell because he forgot that his strength and wisdom were gifts from God, not qualities he could claim as his own. Similarly, Jesus warns that attachment to material possessions can blind us to what truly matters. As we go about our daily lives, we are called to examine our own hearts and lives. Are we allowing pride or materialism to take the place of God? Let us strive to cultivate humility, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. Let us also remember that true fulfillment and joy come not from what we possess, but from living in accordance with God’s will and trusting in his providence.