"Will the axe boast against him who hews with it?" This metaphor from the First Reading of the day highlights the absurdity of a tool exalting itself above the one who wields it. Similarly, when human beings boast of their successes and attribute them to their own strength and wisdom, rather than to their Creator, Ignatian spirituality sees it as an act of vain glory. This is one of the three key features of the standard of the devil—riches, honor, and pride. The standard of the devil takes people away from the standard of Christ, which is characterized by poverty, opprobrium, and humility.

In the first reading from Isaiah, the prophet delivers a message from the Lord concerning Assyria. Assyria, a powerful empire, embodies the standard of riches, honor, and pride. They boast of their conquests and attribute their success to their own strength and wisdom, saying, "By my own power I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am shrewd." This passage serves as a stark reminder of the perils of pride and the illusion of self-sufficiency. Assyria's might and success, though real, are not of its own making. The Lord's sovereignty and providence are the true sources of its power. The consequence of such pride is severe: "the Lord, the LORD of hosts, will send among his fat ones leanness, and instead of his glory there will be kindling like the kindling of fire." This imagery of leanness and fire underscores the inevitable downfall that follows hubris.

This is a humbling lesson that calls us to recognize our dependence on God and the dangers of overestimating our abilities and achievements. The Responsorial Psalm reinforces this theme of divine justice and the assurance of God's unwavering support for His people. The repeated refrain, "The Lord will not abandon his people," offers comfort and hope. Despite the afflictions and injustices faced by the faithful, God's presence and support remain steadfast. The psalmist calls out the senselessness of those who believe that God does not see or hear their actions, reminding us of God's omniscience and His commitment to justice. This echoes the earlier message from Isaiah: God's justice will prevail, and the arrogant will be humbled.

In the Gospel, Jesus praises the Father for revealing divine truths to the childlike rather than to the wise and learned. This revelation to the humble and simple-hearted reflects God's gracious will and highlights the standard of poverty, contempt, and humility. Jesus' words remind us that true wisdom and understanding are gifts from God, accessible not through intellectual prowess but through humility and openness to God's revelation. The childlike are those who approach God with trust, simplicity, and openness, qualities that are often overshadowed by worldly wisdom and sophistication.

Reflecting on these readings through the Ignatian lens, the juxtaposition between the arrogance of the Assyrians and the humility of the childlike highlights a key spiritual principle: humility opens us to God's wisdom, grace, and ultimate exultation, while pride blinds us and leads to our downfall. Do we attribute our successes to our own efforts, or do we acknowledge God's hand in our lives? Are we open to the childlike simplicity that Jesus praises, allowing God's wisdom to guide us? By embracing humility and trusting in God's justice, do we take refuge in the promise that "the Lord will not abandon his people".