Daily Readings - Tue Aug 16 2022
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons on pride and humility. Ezekiel’s oracle against the leader of Tyre condemns the arrogance of one who claimed divinity, leading to his downfall. This serves as a warning against the dangers of pride, which blinds us to our true nature and leads to ruin. In contrast, Matthew’s Gospel presents Jesus teaching on the challenges of wealth and the rewards of humility. He emphasizes that while wealth can be an obstacle to salvation, true riches lie in following Him, promising eternal life to those who surrender worldly attachments.
Both readings highlight the importance of humility. Ezekiel’s prophecy illustrates how pride can lead to destruction, while Jesus’ teachings show that humility is essential for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. The leader of Tyre’s demise contrasts sharply with the disciples’ willingness to leave everything behind for Jesus, demonstrating that true greatness comes from humility and trust in God.
In our daily lives, these lessons remind us to cultivate humility and avoid the pitfalls of pride. We are called to recognize our limitations and trust in God’s providence. Let us reflect on our own lives, ensuring that our hearts remain humble and our priorities aligned with God’s will. By embracing humility, we open ourselves to God’s grace and the promise of eternal life.