Matthew 11:25-27

Isaiah 10:5-7, 13ab-16

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

Matthew 11:25-27

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.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I praise you for who you are and thank you for what you have done. You are the Lord who humbles the prideful and exalts the lowly. You are the Creator of all things and perfectly bring your eternal plan to fulfillment. I love you and renew my faith and trust in you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Sufferings of Israel: Yesterday, the First Reading was taken from Isaiah 7 and we learned about the Syro-Ephraimite conflict around the year 735 B.C. When King Ahaz of Judah formed an alliance with Assyria, against the advice of the prophet Isaiah, Isaiah withdrew and formed a community of disciples (Isaiah 8:16-22). Today, we read from Chapter 9 of Isaiah, in which the prophet speaks about the Assyrian oppression of the northern lands of Israel. The lands of Zebulon, Naphtali, and Galilee all suffered under Assyrian oppression. Isaiah says that although the northern kingdom of Israel walks and dwells in darkness, one day these same lands will see a great light. Isaiah promises that God will raise up a descendant of David, who will reign without end and establish peace and justice forevermore (Isaiah 9:7). At the same time, Israel is being punished for her idolatry and for oppressing the poor. Isaiah records four afflictions that have been brought upon Israel. First, because of their pride, the Lord has stirred up enemies against the people of Israel to humble her (Isaiah 9:8-12). Second, because the people of Israel did not seek the Lord, the Lord cut off Israel’s elders and false prophets, who, instead of leading the people to the Lord, have led them astray (Isaiah 9:13-17). Third, because of the wicked who committed injustice, brothers will turn against one another: Manasseh turn against Ephraim and Ephraim against Manasseh and both (Israel) will plot against the southern kingdom of Judah (Isaiah 9:18-21). Fourth, those who made unjust laws and decrees and oppressed the poor will not be able to flee on the day of punishment (Isaiah 10:1-4). How can I be more just and merciful in my dealings with others?

2. The Pride of Assyria: The passage we read today in the First Reading recognizes Assyria as the instrument of God’s punishment of Israel, which became, under Jeroboam I, a kingdom of idols. Assyria is called the rod of God’s anger and the staff of God’s fury. In her pride, Assyria thinks that it has accomplished the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel due to its own power and wisdom (Isaiah 10:13). Assyria thinks that it can also destroy the southern kingdom of Judah and the city of Jerusalem (Isaiah 10:11). Isaiah reminds us that Assyria is just an instrument – an axe, a saw, a rod, or a staff (see Isaiah 10:15) – and he says that because of her pride, the Lord will humble Assyria one day. Isaiah also foresees the day when a remnant of Israel will return to the Lord God. Isaiah encourages Jerusalem not to fear the Assyrians: for in a very little while God’s indignation will come to an end and his anger will be directed to the destruction of Assyria (Isaiah 10:25). The burden that Assyria has placed on Judah’s shoulder will be lifted and the yoke it has placed on Judah’s neck will be destroyed (10:27). Isaiah promises that one day, a branch from the stump of Jesse will come forth. This branch is a descendant of King David who will be filled with the Spirit of the Lord. He will judge rightly and establish peace. He will gather the remnant of his people exiled to foreign lands (Isaiah 11:11). All nations will seek this king, the root of Jesse. This humble king, this root (Isaiah 53:2), will be despised and rejected by men, will make himself an offering for sin, and, through his suffering, heal us and intercede for us (Isaiah 53:3-12).

3. Praising the Lord for the Day of Salvation: On the day of salvation, God’s people will give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the nations, and exalt his name. “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12:1-6). In the Gospel, Jesus also offers up a prayer of praise. He praises his Father as the Lord of heaven and earth. He praises him for his gracious will, for hiding his plan from the wise and learned and revealing it to the childlike. All things have been handed over to Jesus, the root of Jesse, our humble king. Jesus has been given authority and accomplishes his Father’s will and his plan of salvation. This plan is that Jesus make himself an offering for our sin and through his passion and death heal us and bring us into communion with God the Father. This communion is a communion of knowledge (the Wisdom of God) and love (the Charity of God). Jesus reveals to us the Father and gives us his Spirit of Love.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, teach me to praise and thank the Father in prayer as you do. I do not know how to pray as I ought and always need to attend your school of prayer. Grant me a humble heart that always seeks to follow your example.

Living the Word of God: When I pray, do I pray in the Spirit through the Son and to the Father? Do I adore God and praise him for who he is, thank him for what he has done, ask for the good things I need to accomplish his will, offer up my life as a pleasing sacrifice, intercede for others, and beg for forgiveness when I have sinned? Which of these – adoration, praise, thanksgiving, petition, oblation, intercession, penitence – is lacking in my daily prayer? What can I do better?