Daily Readings - Tue Jul 16 2024
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 from the Old and New Testaments that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and repentance. The first reading from Isaiah 7:1-9 sets the stage during a time of political turmoil, as King Ahaz of Judah faces the threat of invasion from Syria and Israel. Isaiah, guided by God, assures Ahaz not to fear, emphasizing trust in divine providence and ending with the poignant reminder, "If you will not believe, you will not continue." This passage underscores the importance of unwavering faith amidst uncertainty.
The Gospel from Matthew 11:20-24 shifts our focus to Jesus, who rebukes the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their lack of repentance despite witnessing miracles. He contrasts their response with that of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, suggesting these cities would have repented under similar circumstances. This highlights the gravity of responding to God's grace and the consequences of complacency.
Together, these readings remind us of the necessity of spiritual responsiveness. Like Ahaz, we are called to trust God in uncertain times, and like the cities in the Gospel, we must avoid complacency. Let us embrace faith and repentance, ensuring our hearts remain open to God's grace. May we learn to trust and respond faithfully, living out our beliefs in our daily lives.