Daily Readings - Wed Jul 17 2024
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 reflections on human pride and the wisdom of humility. The first reading from Isaiah describes Assyria as a tool of God’s judgment, yet Assyria’s downfall comes from its own arrogance. Assyria, once an instrument of divine punishment, forgets that its power comes not from itself but from God. The prophet warns that when we attribute our successes solely to our own strength and wisdom, we risk losing sight of God’s sovereignty. This passage reminds us that all human achievements, no matter how impressive, are fleeting and subject to God’s judgment.
The Gospel reading offers a striking contrast. Jesus praises the Father for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom not to the wise and powerful but to the “little ones.” This is a recurring theme in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus emphasizes that true wisdom comes not from human pride or self-reliance but from humility and openness to God. The passage underscores the idea that spiritual truth is not reserved for the privileged or the self-important but is accessible to those who approach God with childlike simplicity and trust.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and our place in the world. Like Assyria, we may be tempted to trust in our own strength and forget the source of our blessings. Yet, Jesus calls us to a different path: one of humility, gratitude, and reliance on God. In our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate this humility, recognizing that true wisdom and strength come not from ourselves but from the Lord. May we, like the “little ones,” remain open to God’s revelation and trust in His providence, even when the world around us seems to glorify power and self-reliance.