Daily Readings - Tue Jul 14 2020
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, trust, and response to God's presence. In the first reading from Isaiah, we find King Ahaz facing the threat of invasion from Syria and Israel. Isaiah, guided by God, urges Ahaz to remain calm and trust in God's plan, warning that without faith, he will not endure. This passage emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's providence amidst uncertainty.
In the Gospel, Jesus rebukes the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their lack of repentance despite witnessing miracles. He contrasts their response with that of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, suggesting that these cities would have repented had they received similar graces. This highlights the gravity of responding to God's gifts with humility and repentance.
Both readings connect through the call to faith and responsiveness to God's presence. Isaiah's message of trust in God's plan aligns with Jesus' emphasis on repentance in the face of divine grace. In our daily lives, we are reminded to trust in God's plan and respond to His presence with humility and repentance. Let us reflect on our own faith journey, ensuring we nurture a deep trust in God and a heartfelt response to His grace.