Daily Readings - Tue Jul 12 2022
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 about faith, trust, and repentance. The first reading from Isaiah describes a moment of crisis for King Ahaz of Judah, as Syria and Israel threaten to attack Jerusalem. Isaiah is sent by God to reassure Ahaz that these enemies will not prevail, urging him to trust in God’s promise of protection. The prophet emphasizes that without faith, Judah will not endure, highlighting the importance of placing one’s hope in God rather than human strength or alliances.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus, who rebukes the cities that witnessed his miracles but failed to repent. He laments that even the notoriously sinful cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom would have responded with greater humility and repentance had they seen the same wonders. Jesus’ words are a stark reminder that God’s grace demands a response; indifference to his gifts leads to greater condemnation. Together, these readings remind us that faith is not passive but active—it requires us to trust in God’s providence and to turn away from sin in response to his mercy.
As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: Do we truly trust in God’s plan for our lives, especially in times of uncertainty? Are we responsive to the graces he showers upon us, or do we take them for granted? The moral lesson is clear: faith and repentance are inseparable. Just as Ahaz needed to trust in God’s promise, and just as the cities needed to repent in response to Jesus’ miracles, we too must cultivate a deep trust in God and a willingness to turn away from sin. May we strive to live lives marked by faith, humility, and a constant conversion of heart.