Daily Readings - Wed Jul 18 2018
Isaiah
5O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.6I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.7Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.13For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:14And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.15Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.16Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.
Matthew
25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us toward humility and a deeper understanding of God's presence in our lives. The first reading from Isaiah warns against the pride of Assyria, which, though a tool of God's judgment, fails to acknowledge His hand in their power. Assyria's downfall comes from their belief that their strength and wisdom are their own achievements, ignoring the divine purpose they serve. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of recognizing God's role in our successes.
The Gospel from Matthew offers a contrasting perspective through Jesus' words. He praises the Father for revealing divine truths to the humble and simple, rather than the wise and powerful. Jesus emphasizes that true wisdom comes from a humble heart and a willingness to acknowledge God's revelation through Him. This highlights the virtue of humility and the need to trust in God's plan, rather than our own understanding.
These readings remind us to approach life with humility and openness to God's will. In our daily lives, we must avoid the trap of pride, recognizing that all our accomplishments are gifts from God. By embracing humility and trusting in His plan, we align ourselves with His will, just as Jesus taught. The moral lesson here is clear: true wisdom lies in humility and acknowledging God's presence in all we do. Let us strive to live with this wisdom, seeking God's guidance and remaining humble in our achievements.