Homily for Thursday, Week 15 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Thursday
Week 15 of Ordinary Time

Year II
July 16, 2026
Is 26: 7-9, 12, 16-19
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Isaiah meets King Ahaz
(Benn Matthew)

“When your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world’s inhabitants learn justice” (Is 16: 9).

Isaiah speaks of Israel’s longing to be close to the Lord, and for that closeness to bring his protection.  Deliverance from their oppressors can come only from him.  “Salvation we haven’t achieved for the earth; the inhabitants of the world can’t bring it forth” (26:18).

Our readings earlier in the week concerned Israel’s place amid the power politics of the Middle East.  Isaiah advised Ahaz to rely on the Lord rather than on Assyria (7:1-9).  Assyria’s oppressions were lamented (10:5-7,13-16).  Israel has felt punished (26:16).

But the prophet offers hope:  “My spirit keeps vigil for you,” the Lord says (26:9).  Israel pleads, “For your name and your judgments, O Lord, we look to you” (26:8).  When God acts, Israel will be saved.

That’s the hope of the new Israel, too.  God has acted in Jesus Christ to do what we can’t.  “Salvation we haven’t achieved on the earth.”  Politics, diplomacy, and economic planning aren’t able to convert the human heart and establish justice.  They can’t save us from our sins nor what our sins do to one another.  Taking up the yoke of Jesus (Matt 11:29-30) is salvation for us as individuals and for humanity as a whole.

The judgment of Christ dawning upon the earth teaches us justice—i.e., closeness to the Lord and salvation from our sins and the harm sin does.  When the dawn from on high breaks upon us, those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow (Luke 1:78-79) will be set free; “the land of shades,” the underworld, hades, shall give birth and the “dead shall live” (Is 26:19).

“For your way and your judgments, O Lord, we look to you.”