Daily Readings - Tue Jul 17 2018
Isaiah
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.'"
Matthew
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.