Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 17, 2018
First Reading: Isaiah 7.1-9
1When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it.2Now the house of David was told, "Aram has allied itself with Ephraim"; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.3Then the LORD said to Isaiah, "Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman's Field.4Say to him, 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood-because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah.5Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah's son have plotted your ruin, saying,6"Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it."7Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'It will not take place, it will not happen,8for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.9The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.'"
Psalm 48
1Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.2It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.3God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress.4When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together,5they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror.6Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor.7You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind.8As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. Selah9Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.10Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.11Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments.12Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers,13consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation.14For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
Gospel: Matthew 11.20-24
20Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.21"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.23And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.24But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect on our faith and response to God's presence in our lives. The first reading from Isaiah 7:1-9 presents King Ahaz facing an imminent threat from Syria and Israel. Despite the danger, Isaiah assures Ahaz that Judah will be protected, emphasizing trust in God's plan. This context highlights the importance of faith during crises, urging us to rely on divine providence rather than human strength.
The Gospel from Matthew 11:20-24 shifts our focus to Jesus rebuking cities that witnessed miracles yet failed to repent. Jesus contrasts their indifference with the hypothetical repentance of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, suggesting that these cities would have responded more faithfully. This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of ignoring God's signs and the importance of a responsive heart.
Both readings underscore the necessity of faith and responsiveness to God. Isaiah's message encourages trust in God's promises, while Matthew's narrative warns against complacency. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this dual lesson: to trust in God's plan and to respond wholeheartedly to His grace. Let us cultivate a faith that not only endures trials but also embraces the transformative power of God's word, leading us to a life of repentance and deeper communion with Him.