Daily Readings - Sat Jul 13 2024
Isaiah
1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.2Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.3And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."4At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.5"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."6Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.7With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."8Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Matthew
24"A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.25It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!26"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound moments of divine encounter and the call to courage in faith. The prophet Isaiah finds himself in the presence of God, surrounded by the majestic seraphim, and is deeply aware of his own unworthiness. Yet, through the purifying coal, he is transformed and responds to God’s call to serve. Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face, urging them not to fear persecution but to trust in God’s providence. He reminds them that they are valued beyond measure and that acknowledging Him before others is a testament to their faith.
Both readings highlight the universal human experience of feeling inadequate when faced with a divine call. Isaiah’s hesitation and the disciples’ fear reflect our own doubts and insecurities. However, it is precisely in these moments that God’s grace shines through, transforming our weaknesses into strengths. The context of these passages is one of crisis and challenge—ancient Israel’s turmoil and the early Christian community’s persecution—yet they offer a message of hope and resilience.
In our daily lives, we are often called to step beyond our comfort zones, whether in our personal relationships, workplaces, or communities. Like Isaiah and the disciples, we may feel unprepared or unworthy. Yet, it is in these moments that we are invited to trust in God’s presence and care. The moral lesson here is one of courage and humility. Recognizing our limitations is not a hindrance but a stepping stone to deeper faith. By embracing our vulnerabilities and trusting in God’s grace, we can respond to His call with confidence, knowing that we are valued and supported every step of the way.