Daily Readings - Sat Jul 13 2024
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 in faith. The prophet Isaiah finds himself in the presence of God, surrounded by the majestic seraphim, and is deeply aware of his own unworthiness. Yet, through the purifying coal, he is transformed and responds to God’s call to serve. Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face, urging them not to fear persecution but to trust in God’s providence. He reminds them that they are valued beyond measure and that acknowledging Him before others is a testament to their faith.
Both readings highlight the universal human experience of feeling inadequate when faced with a divine call. Isaiah’s hesitation and the disciples’ fear reflect our own doubts and insecurities. However, it is precisely in these moments that God’s grace shines through, transforming our weaknesses into strengths. The context of these passages is one of crisis and challenge—ancient Israel’s turmoil and the early Christian community’s persecution—yet they offer a message of hope and resilience.
In our daily lives, we are often called to step beyond our comfort zones, whether in our personal relationships, workplaces, or communities. Like Isaiah and the disciples, we may feel unprepared or unworthy. Yet, it is in these moments that we are invited to trust in God’s presence and care. The moral lesson here is one of courage and humility. Recognizing our limitations is not a hindrance but a stepping stone to deeper faith. By embracing our vulnerabilities and trusting in God’s grace, we can respond to His call with confidence, knowing that we are valued and supported every step of the way.