Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga
June 21, 2022
Daily Reading from the USCCB: 2 Kings 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36
The Assyrians did not leave the Jews in peace for long. Just 20 years after the capture of Samaria by King Shalmaneser, his successor twice removed–King Sennacherib–attacked Jerusalem. The king of Judah at this time was Hezekiah, deeply devoted to the God of his people.
Sennacherib threatens the Judeans and their king with destruction. Hezekiah goes into the temple and prays for deliverance from the enemy. God sends the prophet Isaiah to reassure King Hezekiah. “The Assyrians won’t get close enough to shoot an arrow at Jerusalem. I, God, will save the city for the sake of my servant David.”
That night the Lord attacked the Assyrian camp and sent the Assyrians home in disarray. The Lord was still caring for his people.
