Daily Readings - Tue Aug 20 2024
Ezekiel
1The word of the LORD came to me:2"Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.3Are you wiser than Daniel? Is no secret hidden from you?4By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries.5By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud.6"'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god,7I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor.8They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas.9Will you then say, "I am a god," in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a man, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you.10You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.'"
Matthew
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."27Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"28Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about pride, humility, and the ultimate trust in God’s providence. The first reading from Ezekiel speaks of the king of Tyre, who, seduced by his own power and wisdom, claims to be like God. His downfall is inevitable, for God will not tolerate such arrogance. This passage reminds us that pride goes before destruction, and our hearts must always remain humble before the Lord.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges his disciples with a hard truth: wealth and earthly possessions can be a significant obstacle to entering the kingdom of heaven. It is not that wealth itself is evil, but rather the attachment to it and the false sense of security it can create. Jesus emphasizes that salvation is not about what we have, but about trusting in God’s power and living with detachment. Peter, reflecting on the sacrifices he and the other disciples have made, asks about their reward. Jesus assures them that those who follow him with generosity and humility will receive a hundredfold in this life and eternal life in the next.
These readings call us to examine our own hearts and lives. Do we, like the king of Tyre, allow pride to cloud our vision of God’s sovereignty? Or do we, like the disciples, seek to follow Jesus with humility and trust? Let us remember that true greatness in God’s eyes is found in humility, detachment, and a willingness to surrender all for the sake of the kingdom. May we strive to live in such a way that our hearts remain open to God’s will, and may we always trust in His promise that with Him, all things are possible.