Arrogance and power

Today’s first reading (Isaiah 10:5-7, 13b-16) tells of an ancient superpower that has unknowingly served as an instrument of God, but was arrogant and genocidally excessive.

This superpower would shortly be seen on the ash heap of history.

Superpowers, of course, are not alone in arrogance and excess. Individual human beings can be that way too.

The ash heap of history awaits us all.

In today’s Gospel (Matthew 11:25-27), our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speaks joyfully of another way, another path, not of arrogance and flashes of power, but of humility and the power of eternity.

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.

Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, be merciful to me – a sinner.