FIRST READING
“Shall the axe vaunt itself over him who hews with it? ”
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 10:5-7.13 – 16)
Thus says the Lord: Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger, the staff of my fury! Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. But he does not—so intend, and his mind does not so think; but it is in his mind to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few. For he says: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I have removed the boundaries of peoples, and have plundered their treasures; like a bull I have brought down those who sat on thrones. My hand has found like a nest the wealth of the peoples; and as men gather eggs that have been forsaken so I have gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved a wing, or opened the mouth, or chirped.” Shall the axe vaunt itself over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood! Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts, will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors, and under his glory a burning will be kindled, like the burning of fire.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 94:5-6.7-5.9- 10.14- 15 (R. 14a)
R/. The Lord will not abandon his people.
They crush your people, Lord;
and they humble your inheritance.
They kill the widow and the stranger,
and murder the fatherless child. R/.
And they say, “The Lord does not see;
the God of Jacob pays no heed.
Mark this, you senseless people;
fools, when will you understand? R/.
R/. The Lord will not abandon his people
Can he who planted the ear not hear?
Can he who formed the eye not see?
Will he who trains the nations not punish?
Will he who teaches man not have knowledge? R.
The Lord will not abandon his people,
nor forsake those who are his heritage;
for judgement shall again be just,
and all true hearts shall uphold it. R.
ALLELUIA Matthew 11:25
Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to infants.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 11:25-27)
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Jesus once again praises God his Father for hiding the secrets of the kingdom from the wise and clever and revealing them to mere children and the humble of heart. He enjoys a wonderful and intimate relationship with his father and shares this privilege with those whom he chooses. As baptized Christians, we are these privileged souls. Let us not abuse this privilege by our sinful ways. This means that if we are intimately united with Jesus in faith and live a coherent lifestyles, he will always fight our cause as he did in the case of St Bonaventure. Our daily participation in the Eucharist should strengthen our resolve to live for Jesus alone so that we experience the miracle of transformation and renewal in our lives.