Daily Readings - Fri Jul 19 2024
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 highlight God's mercy and the importance of faith. The first reading from Isaiah recounts the story of Hezekiah, who, faced with a terminal illness, turns to God in prayer. His sincere plea and trust in the Lord result in a miraculous extension of his life, a testament to God's compassion and response to heartfelt prayer. This story underscores the power of faith and the importance of turning to God in times of need.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a different yet complementary lesson. Jesus and his disciples are criticized by the Pharisees for picking grain on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees deem unlawful. Jesus defends their actions by referencing David's actions when he was hungry and the priests' work on the Sabbath. He emphasizes that the Sabbath was made for humanity, not the other way around, and that mercy and compassion should take precedence over strict adherence to rules. This teaching challenges us to reflect on our priorities and to act with kindness and understanding.
Both readings remind us to trust in God's mercy and to live with compassion. Hezekiah's story encourages us to pray with sincerity, knowing that God hears us. Jesus's teaching invites us to prioritize love and kindness over rigid rules. As we navigate our daily lives, may we embrace these lessons, trusting in God's grace and living with hearts full of mercy and compassion.