Daily Readings - Thu Jul 16 2020
Isaiah
7The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.8Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.9With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.12LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.16LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.17Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.18We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.19Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the journey of faith, hope, and trust in God’s providence. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the voice of one who has walked the difficult path of justice and perseverance. The prophet describes the soul’s deep longing for God, even in the midst of tribulation and anguish. He uses the image of a woman in labor to express the pain and struggle of waiting for salvation, but also the hope that God’s justice will ultimately prevail. The reading reminds us that our efforts and struggles, though they may seem fruitless at times, are not in vain when we place our trust in God.
In the Gospel, Jesus offers a comforting invitation to all who are weary and burdened. He calls us to come to Him, to take His yoke upon us, and to learn from His meek and humble heart. Jesus promises rest for our souls, not because the journey will become easy, but because His yoke is sweet and His burden is light. This passage reminds us that true strength comes not from our own efforts, but from surrendering to God’s will and trusting in His grace.
These readings are deeply connected, as both invite us to trust in God’s plan even when the path is difficult. Isaiah reminds us to persevere in hope, while Jesus offers us the grace to do so. In our daily lives, we often feel burdened by our struggles, whether they be personal, relational, or societal. The readings encourage us to turn to God, to lean on His strength, and to find rest in His presence. Let us learn to walk humbly, to trust in His justice, and to surrender our burdens to Him, knowing that He will give us the peace and strength we need to carry on.