Daily Readings - Wed Jul 17 2024
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 encounter two powerful reflections on human pride and the wisdom of humility. The first reading from Isaiah describes Assyria as a tool of God’s judgment, yet Assyria’s downfall comes from its own arrogance. Assyria, once an instrument of divine punishment, forgets that its power comes not from itself but from God. The prophet warns that when we attribute our successes solely to our own strength and wisdom, we risk losing sight of God’s sovereignty. This passage reminds us that all human achievements, no matter how impressive, are fleeting and subject to God’s judgment.
The Gospel reading offers a striking contrast. Jesus praises the Father for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom not to the wise and powerful but to the “little ones.” This is a recurring theme in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus emphasizes that true wisdom comes not from human pride or self-reliance but from humility and openness to God. The passage underscores the idea that spiritual truth is not reserved for the privileged or the self-important but is accessible to those who approach God with childlike simplicity and trust.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and our place in the world. Like Assyria, we may be tempted to trust in our own strength and forget the source of our blessings. Yet, Jesus calls us to a different path: one of humility, gratitude, and reliance on God. In our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate this humility, recognizing that true wisdom and strength come not from ourselves but from the Lord. May we, like the “little ones,” remain open to God’s revelation and trust in His providence, even when the world around us seems to glorify power and self-reliance.