A warning and an assurance

July 12, Tuesday, 15th Week in Ordinary Time
Daily readings: Isaiah 7:1-9, Gospel: Matthew 11:20-24

We should fight against people and things that are against God or his teachings.

So, when was the last time you stood firm and steadfast with the Church's teachings in the face of opposition and difficulty?

Whenever we want to stay on the path of the truth, we know that there will be obstacles along the way. Most of the time, the opposition outnumbers the truth, and because of that, we feel that hope is all lost.

However, in the First Reading, God tells Isaiah that whatever plot is planned against Judah, "it shall not stand, it shall not be (Isaiah 7:7)!" This is an assurance that God will be with us as long as we stand firm in the faith. He will not allow whatever he has planned for us to be changed or disrupted by any external force.

Catholic teaching on free will acknowledges that God gave people the ability to choose between doing good and doing bad things in their lives. God does not force us to follow him or be good. It is entirely up to us whether or not we follow him.

But if we do not use that freedom well, and we just let ourselves go astray, there will come a time when we have to face the consequences of our decisions. "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Psalm 95:8)."

Let us not waste all the second chances and goodness God has given us.