Daily Readings - Wed Jul 15 2020
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the interplay between human pride and divine wisdom. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a prophetic critique of Assyria, a powerful empire that had grown arrogant in its dominance. Assyria, though a tool of God’s judgment against Israel, began to attribute its success to its own strength and wisdom rather than to God. Isaiah warns that such pride will lead to its downfall, for no created thing can exalt itself above the Creator. This passage reminds us that all human power is fleeting and that true strength comes from humility and dependence on God.
In the Gospel, Jesus offers a complementary reflection when he praises the Father for revealing divine truths to “little ones” rather than to the wise and the prudent. Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility and simplicity in receiving God’s revelation. The “little ones” are those who recognize their limitations and are open to receiving wisdom as a gift from God. This passage challenges us to let go of our self-reliance and intellectual pride, trusting instead in God’s gracious plan to reveal Himself to those who are humble of heart.
Together, these readings call us to examine our own attitudes toward power and knowledge. In a world that often celebrates self-reliance and ambition, we are reminded that true wisdom and strength come from acknowledging our dependence on God. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate humility, recognizing that all we have and all we know are gifts from God. May we, like the “little ones,” remain open to His revelation and trust in His providence, avoiding the pitfalls of pride that lead to division and destruction.