Daily Readings for July 18, 2018

1st READING

Israel fails to give the glory and credit to God for their victories. Isaiah’s image of Israel is the axe wielded by the hand of God. The axe cannot fell the tree – it can do nothing without the person who wields it. Do we give credit to God for our achievements? Or do we claim the glory for ourselves?

Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16

5 Thus says the Lord: “Woe to Assyria! My rod in anger, my staff in wrath. 6 Against an impious nation I send him, and against a people under my wrath I order him to seize plunder, carry off loot, and tread them down like the mud of the streets. 7 But this is not what he intends, nor does he have this in mind. Rather, it is in his heart to destroy, to make an end of nations not a few. 13 By my own power I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am shrewd. I have moved the boundaries of peoples, their treasures I have pillaged, and, like a giant, I have put down the enthroned. 14 My hand has seized like a nest the riches of nations, as one takes eggs left alone. So I took in all the earth; no one uttered a wing, or opened a mouth, or chirped! 15 Will the axe boast against him who hews with it? Will the saw exalt itself above him who wields it? As if a rod could sway him who lifts it, or a staff him who is not wood! 16 Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts, will send among his fat ones leanness, and instead of his glory there will be kindling like the kindling of fire.”

P S A L M 

Psalm 94:5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 14-15

R: The Lord will not abandon his people.

5 Your people, O Lord, they trample down, your inheritance they afflict. 6 Widow and stranger they slay, the fatherless they murder. (R) 7 And they say, “The Lord sees not; the God of Jacob perceives not.” 8 Understand, you senseless ones among the people; and, you fools, when will you be wise? (R) 9 Shall he who shaped the ear not hear? Or he who formed the eye not see? 10 Shall he who instructs nations not chastise, he who teaches men knowledge? (R) 14 For the Lord will not cast off his people, nor abandon his inheritance; 15 but judgment shall again be with justice, and all the upright of heart shall follow it. (R)

GOSPEL 

Jesus uses children as examples in teaching us about faith. Children completely trust their parents. It takes a lot for them to lose their trust and faith in their parents. Let us have the same childlike faith in God. He is trustworthy and will never let us down. Let us continue to trust in Him no matter what happens.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Matthew 11:25-27

25 At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”