Today's first reading tells the story of King Hezekiah of Judah, who is facing a severe threat from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. Sennacherib is confident that Jerusalem will fall to him, and he taunts Hezekiah, saying that the gods of Israel are just like the idols of other nations that his people have conquered. But Hezekiah turns to God, praying in the Temple, and asking for protection and salvation. God sends one, just one angel, to vanquish an army of close to two hundred thousand men.
We often face our own versions of Sennacherib's taunts. We may feel like we're up against insurmountable obstacles, and that our own strengths and abilities are no match for the challenges ahead. But today's passage reminds us that we are not alone. We have a God who is mighty and powerful, who has created heaven and earth, and who can save us from any situation.
Hezekiah's prayer is a model for us. He acknowledges God's power and authority, and he asks for help in the face of adversity. He doesn't try to take matters into his own hands or rely on human strength alone. Instead, he turns to God and trusts in his goodness and faithfulness.
And what happens? God responds to Hezekiah's prayer by sending Isaiah to deliver a message of hope and protection. The Lord tells Hezekiah that he will not let Sennacherib enter Jerusalem, that he will return home in defeat. And indeed, that night, an angel of the Lord goes out and strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in their camp! One angel took out thousands of men. What power is possessed by even one of these magnificent creatures of God, and each of us have one to guard us. Like Israel who was shocked that God would come to its defense in this manner, so too we would be shocked if we knew how many times the angel appointed to protect us fought on our behalf!
Throughout salvation history, there have been many instances where God was mocked by prideful nations who later would regret it. Here are a few examples:
The Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12): Pharaoh's refusal to let the Israelites go led to a series of devastating plagues that devastated Egypt, ultimately resulting in the death of every firstborn son. Pharaoh's pride and stubbornness led to his own downfall, and the Israelites were freed.
The Babylonian Captivity (2 Kings 24-25): Nebuchadnezzar's army conquered Jerusalem, destroying the Temple and exiling many Jews. However, after 70 years, God raised up Cyrus the Persian to conquer Babylon and allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their city.
The Persians Under Xerxes (Esther 3-9): Haman's plot to destroy the Jews was foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai. The Persian Empire was forced to make a humiliating reversal, hanging Haman on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
The Greek Empire Under Antiochus IV (1 Maccabees 1-2): Antiochus IV desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem and attempted to force Greek culture on the Jews. However, a small group of Jewish rebels, led by Judas Maccabeus, defeated the Greeks in battle and reclaimed the Temple.
The Roman Empire Under Pompey (Acts 12:1-24): King Herod Agrippa I imprisoned Peter, intending to execute him, but an angel miraculously freed Peter from his chains. The Roman Empire was humbled by this demonstration of divine power.
These are just a few examples which illustrate how nations have repeatedly challenged God's power and authority, only to be humbled by His mighty hand.
As we face our own Sennacheribs – let us remember that Jesus warns us in today’s gospel to resist trying to evangelize the proud and the haughty, or anyone who does not want to hear God’s precious offer of salvation. Assyria must have heard about the God of Israel and the wonders he performed in Egypt, and still yet, the king had the audacity to refuse to humble himself before the true God, conflating him with false gods.
Jesus' words today teach us about the importance of discernment and intentionality in our relationships with others. He warns us not to waste our time and energy on those who are not receptive to the message of God's love and redemption. Just as dogs and pigs are not worthy recipients of holy things, we should not try to share our faith with those who are unwilling to listen or respond.
On the other hand, Jesus reminds us that we should always treat others with kindness and respect, just as we would want them to treat us. This is the essence of the Law and the Prophets - to love our neighbors as ourselves. Sometimes, it is only through that very love that the coldest of hearts will warm up to the gospel of Christ.
Jesus also warns us in today’s gospel that not everyone is on the same path. The road to destruction is wide and inviting, but it leads to eternal separation from God. Conversely, the narrow gate and hard road that leads to life is fraught with challenges and difficulties, but it ultimately leads to eternal life.
As followers of Christ, we must be mindful of these words and strive to live out our faith in a way that honors God. We must be discerning about where we invest our time and energy, and intentional about sharing our faith with those who are receptive to it. And even when the road ahead seems narrow and difficult, we must persevere, knowing that it is through this narrow gate that we will find true life and eternal salvation.
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