Daily Readings - Wed Jul 13 2022
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 are invited to reflect on the themes of humility, trust in God, and the dangers of pride. The first reading from Isaiah describes Assyria as a tool of God’s judgment, yet warns against the arrogance that leads to its downfall. Assyria, though powerful, forgets that its strength comes not from itself but from God. The prophet highlights the foolishness of attributing success to one’s own efforts rather than acknowledging the divine hand at work. This serves as a cautionary tale about the peril of pride and the importance of humility.
In the Gospel, Jesus praises the Father for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to the “little ones” while hiding them from the wise and the proud. This passage underscores the idea that spiritual truth is not attained through human wisdom or self-reliance but through a humble and open heart. Jesus emphasizes that true understanding comes from a relationship with God, and that no one can fully know the Father except through the Son. This teaching challenges us to approach God with childlike humility, recognizing our dependence on Him.
These readings remind us that our strength and wisdom are not our own but are gifts from God. Like Assyria, we risk falling if we trust in ourselves rather than in Him. Jesus calls us to embrace humility, to recognize our limitations, and to trust in God’s plan. In our daily lives, this means letting go of pride and self-reliance, and instead seeking to grow in faith and dependence on God. May we learn to approach Him with humble hearts, knowing that true wisdom and strength come from Him alone.