Ezekiel 28:1-10 / Matthew 19:23-30
The present city of Tyre had a significant part in the history of the Mediterranean region as well as in the Bible.
Commercially it was a prosperous city with two harbours and politically it was a strategic city of influence and a prized city for conquering armies.
It was at the height of her wealth and glory and might that the prophet Ezekiel pronounced the oracle against her that we heard in the 1st reading.
It was targeted at the ruler of Tyre, because though he was just a man, he considered himself the equal of God, and as such had become more and more arrogant.
Pride and arrogance had this one result - they make a person think that nothing is impossible for him.
By his own strength and might and abilities, he will be able to protect himself and overcome all difficulties and enemies.
But the oracle of the prophet Ezekiel stated otherwise. As it had happened so often in history, pride comes before the fall, and for Tyre and her ruler, it was a terrible fall.
What Jesus said about God and men in the gospel is truly a wise profound saying: For men it is impossible; for God everything is possible.
Human pride makes us think that we can do the impossible, only to fall and crash into the dust and then we realize that we are weak.
Humility would make us realize that we are nothing without God and that nothing is possible without God.
So as we pray, let us be aware that with God everything is possible; yet we also need to toil and work with the strength of God to make the impossible possible.