Daily Readings - Wed Jul 15 2020
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the interplay between human pride and divine wisdom. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a prophetic critique of Assyria, a powerful empire that had grown arrogant in its dominance. Assyria, though a tool of God’s judgment against Israel, began to attribute its success to its own strength and wisdom rather than to God. Isaiah warns that such pride will lead to its downfall, for no created thing can exalt itself above the Creator. This passage reminds us that all human power is fleeting and that true strength comes from humility and dependence on God.
In the Gospel, Jesus offers a complementary reflection when he praises the Father for revealing divine truths to “little ones” rather than to the wise and the prudent. Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility and simplicity in receiving God’s revelation. The “little ones” are those who recognize their limitations and are open to receiving wisdom as a gift from God. This passage challenges us to let go of our self-reliance and intellectual pride, trusting instead in God’s gracious plan to reveal Himself to those who are humble of heart.
Together, these readings call us to examine our own attitudes toward power and knowledge. In a world that often celebrates self-reliance and ambition, we are reminded that true wisdom and strength come from acknowledging our dependence on God. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate humility, recognizing that all we have and all we know are gifts from God. May we, like the “little ones,” remain open to His revelation and trust in His providence, avoiding the pitfalls of pride that lead to division and destruction.