Daily Readings - Sun Aug 27 2023
Isaiah
15Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,19And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.20And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:21And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.22And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.23And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house.
Romans
33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Matthew
13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the mystery of God’s wisdom and the call to faithful leadership in His plan of salvation. In the first reading from Isaiah, we encounter a dramatic shift in authority. Shebna, who had been entrusted with the care of the temple, is removed from his position, and Eliakim is appointed in his place. Eliakim is given the key of the house of David, symbolizing his new role as a steward of God’s people. This passage reminds us that all authority comes from God and that with it comes great responsibility to serve and lead with integrity.
The second reading from Romans takes us deeper into the mystery of God’s wisdom. St. Paul marvels at the incomprehensibility of God’s judgments and ways, emphasizing that all things come from Him, through Him, and for Him. This passage calls us to humility and trust in the face of life’s uncertainties. It reminds us that while we may not always understand God’s plan, we can rely on His infinite wisdom and love.
In the Gospel, we witness a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus and His disciples. When Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds with a confession of faith, declaring Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus praises Peter for this gift of faith, which comes not from human understanding but from the Father in heaven. He then entrusts Peter with the keys of the kingdom, symbolizing the authority to lead and serve the Church. This passage reminds us that faith is a gift, and with it comes the responsibility to build up the Body of Christ.
These readings challenge us to live out our faith with courage and humility. Like Eliakim, we are called to serve others with integrity, trusting in God’s wisdom even when the path is unclear. Like Peter, we are called to profess our faith boldly and to use the gifts and authority we have been given to serve the Church and the world. May we, like the saints, allow ourselves to be instruments of God’s plan, trusting in His wisdom and living out our faith in love and service.