Daily Readings - Fri Jul 15 2022
Isaiah
1In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover."2Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,3"Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.4Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah:5"Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.6And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.21Isaiah had said, "Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover."22Hezekiah had asked, "What will be the sign that I will go up to the temple of the LORD?"7"'This is the LORD's sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised:8I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.'" So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone down.
Matthew
1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."3He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread--which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.5Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent?6I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.7If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, mercy, and the essence of God's will. The first reading from Isaiah tells the story of Hezekiah, who, faced with imminent death, turns to God with a heartfelt prayer. His sincerity moves God to grant him fifteen more years of life, accompanied by a miraculous sign—the sun's shadow moving backward. This passage underscores the power of sincere prayer and God's merciful response to those who trust in Him.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a different yet complementary scenario. Jesus and his disciples are criticized by the Pharisees for picking grain on the Sabbath. Jesus defends their actions by referencing David and the priests, highlighting that human needs and mercy should take precedence over strict legalism. He declares himself the Lord of the Sabbath, emphasizing that the law exists for the well-being of people, not the other way around.
These readings connect through their emphasis on trust and understanding God's true intentions. Hezekiah's story shows trust in God's mercy, while Jesus teaches the importance of compassion over rigid adherence to rules. In our daily lives, we are called to balance faith with action, remembering that God's laws are guides for living with love and mercy. Let us trust in God's plan and prioritize compassion, just as Jesus taught, ensuring our actions reflect the spirit of His teachings.