Tuesday of Week 12 in Ordinary Time
Liturgical Colour: Green. Year A(II).
First Reading
2 Kings 19:9-11,14-21,31-36
Sennacherib, King of the Assyrians, sent messengers to Hezekiah saying:
"Tell this to Hezekiah king of Judah,
'Do not let your God on whom you are relying deceive you, when he says: Jerusalem shall not fall into the power of the king of Assyria.
You have learnt by now what the kings of Assyria have done to every country, putting them all under the ban.
Are you likely to be spared?'"
Hezekiah took the letter from the hands of the messenger and read it; he then went up to the Temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.
Hezekiah said this prayer in the presence of the Lord:
"O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned on the cherubs, you alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth, you have made heaven and earth.
Give ear, Lord, and listen.
Open your eyes, Lord, and see.
Hear the words of Sennacherib who has sent to insult the living God.
It is true, O Lord, that the kings of Assyria have exterminated all the nations and thrown their gods on the fire, for these were not gods but the work of men's hands, wood and stone.
But now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, I pray you, and let all the kingdoms of the earth know that you alone are God, Lord."
Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah:
"The Lord, the God of Israel, says this:
'I have heard the prayer you have addressed to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria.
A remnant shall go out from Jerusalem,
and survivors from Mount Zion.
The jealous love of the Lord of Hosts shall accomplish this.'
This is what the Lord says about the king of Assyria:
'He will not enter this city,
he will let fly no arrow against it,
confront it with no shield,
throw up no earthwork against it.
By the road that he came on he will return;
he shall not enter this city.
I will protect this city and save it
for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.'"
That same night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp.
Sennacherib struck camp and left; he returned home and stayed in Nineveh.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 47(48):2-4,10-11
Response: God upholds his city for ever.
The Lord is great and worthy to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain rises in beauty,
the joy of all the earth.
Response: God upholds his city for ever.
Mount Zion, true pole of the earth,
the Great King's city!
God, in the midst of its citadels,
has shown himself its stronghold.
Response: God upholds his city for ever.
O God, we ponder your love
within your temple.
Your praise, O God, like your name
reaches the ends of the earth.
Response: God upholds his city for ever.
Gospel
Matthew 7:6,12-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not give dogs what is holy;
and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs,
or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces.
So always treat others as you would like them to treat you;
that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.
Enter by the narrow gate,
since the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious,
and many take it;
but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life,
and only a few find it."
Reflection
Hezekiah received a message designed to fill him with fear. The king of Assyria mocked his trust in God and pointed to the destruction of other nations as proof that resistance was useless. Instead of relying on military power or despairing, Hezekiah carried the letter into the Temple and spread it before the Lord.
That simple act is a lesson for every believer. There are letters we receive in life: bad news, anxiety, criticism, uncertainty, illness, and worries about the future. Like Hezekiah, we are invited not to carry these burdens alone, but to place them before God. The Catechism teaches that trustful prayer places our needs in the Father's hands and expresses confidence in his providence (CCC 2734, 305).
The Psalm reminds us that God is our stronghold. His love reaches to the ends of the earth. Earthly powers rise and fall, but the Lord remains faithful.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the narrow gate. The Christian life is not the broad road of convenience, popularity, or self-interest. It is the path of truth, charity, forgiveness, and perseverance. The narrow gate is ultimately Christ himself. Many prefer easier roads, but disciples are called to choose the way that leads to life.
The Golden Rule stands at the centre of this teaching: "Treat others as you would like them to treat you." The Catechism calls this principle a summary of the moral life and the practical expression of charity (CCC 1789, 1970).
The world teaches us to seek comfort and approval. Christ teaches us to seek holiness. The road may be narrow, but we do not walk it alone. The same Lord who protected Jerusalem hears the prayers we bring before him and remains our stronghold.
One line to carry today
Bring your fears before the Lord and choose the narrow gate that leads to life.
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