Daily Readings - Sat Jul 09 2022
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
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.