Daily Readings - Wed Jul 18 2018
Isaiah
5"Woe to the Assyrian, the rod of my anger, in whose hand is the club of my wrath!6I send him against a godless nation, I dispatch him against a people who anger me, to seize loot and snatch plunder, and to trample them down like mud in the streets.7But this is not what he intends, this is not what he has in mind; his purpose is to destroy, to put an end to many nations.13For he says: "'By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, because I have understanding. I removed the boundaries of nations, I plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their kings.14As one reaches into a nest, so my hand reached for the wealth of the nations; as men gather abandoned eggs, so I gathered all the countries; not one flapped a wing, or opened its mouth to chirp.'"15Does the ax raise itself above him who swings it, or the saw boast against him who uses it? As if a rod were to wield him who lifts it up, or a club brandish him who is not wood!16Therefore, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will send a wasting disease upon his sturdy warriors; under his pomp a fire will be kindled like a blazing flame.
Matthew
25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us toward humility and a deeper understanding of God's presence in our lives. The first reading from Isaiah warns against the pride of Assyria, which, though a tool of God's judgment, fails to acknowledge His hand in their power. Assyria's downfall comes from their belief that their strength and wisdom are their own achievements, ignoring the divine purpose they serve. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of recognizing God's role in our successes.
The Gospel from Matthew offers a contrasting perspective through Jesus' words. He praises the Father for revealing divine truths to the humble and simple, rather than the wise and powerful. Jesus emphasizes that true wisdom comes from a humble heart and a willingness to acknowledge God's revelation through Him. This highlights the virtue of humility and the need to trust in God's plan, rather than our own understanding.
These readings remind us to approach life with humility and openness to God's will. In our daily lives, we must avoid the trap of pride, recognizing that all our accomplishments are gifts from God. By embracing humility and trusting in His plan, we align ourselves with His will, just as Jesus taught. The moral lesson here is clear: true wisdom lies in humility and acknowledging God's presence in all we do. Let us strive to live with this wisdom, seeking God's guidance and remaining humble in our achievements.