Daily Readings - Mon Mar 12 2018

First Reading - Isaiah 65.17-21

¹⁷For behold, I create the new heavens and the new earth. And the former things will not be in memory and will not enter into the heart¹⁸But you will be glad and exult, even forever, in these things that I create. For behold, I create Jerusalem as an exultation, and its people as a joy¹⁹And I will exult in Jerusalem, and I will rejoice in my people. And neither a voice of weeping, nor a voice of outcry, will be heard in her anymore²⁰There will no longer be an infant of only a few days there, nor an elder who does not complete his days. For a mere child dies at a hundred years of age, and a sinner of a hundred years will be accursed²¹And they will build houses, and will inhabit them. And they will plant vineyards, and will eat their fruits

Gospel - John 4.43-54

John

Chapter 4

⁴³Then, after two days, he departed from there, and he traveled into Galilee⁴⁴For Jesus himself offered testimony that a Prophet has no honor in his own country⁴⁵And so, when he had arrived in Galilee, the Galileans received him, because they had seen all that he had done at Jerusalem, in the day of the feast. For they also went to the feast day⁴⁶Then he went again into Cana of Galilee, where he made water into wine. And there was a certain ruler, whose son was sick at Capernaum⁴⁷Since he had heard that Jesus came to Galilee from Judea, he sent to him and begged him to come down and heal his son. For he was beginning to die⁴⁸Therefore, Jesus said to him, "Unless you have seen signs and wonders, you do not believe.⁴⁹The ruler said to him, "Lord, come down before my son dies.⁵⁰Jesus said to him, "Go, your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and so he went away⁵¹Then, as he was going down, his servants met him. And they reported to him, saying that his son was alive⁵²Therefore, he asked them at which hour he had become better. And they said to him, "Yesterday, at the seventh hour, the fever left him.⁵³Then the father realized that it was at the same hour that Jesus said to him, "Your son lives." And both he and his entire household believed⁵⁴This next sign was the second that Jesus accomplished, after he had arrived in Galilee from Judea

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, faith, and trust in God's plan. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a future where sorrow and pain are erased, replaced by joy and eternal life. This vision is a beacon of hope for the Israelites, promising a utopian future after their trials. The Gospel from John tells the story of a royal official who, desperate for his son's healing, trusts in Jesus' word despite the distance and uncertainty. This miracle not only showcases Jesus' divine authority but also highlights the transformative power of faith. Both readings beautifully intertwine, emphasizing the theme of trust in God's promises. Isaiah's vision calls us to trust in God's future plan, even when our current circumstances are challenging. Similarly, the royal official's story illustrates the immediate rewards of trusting Jesus' word, even when faced with doubt. These narratives remind us that faith is not about seeing immediate results but about believing in God's goodness and timing. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace hope and trust. When we face difficulties, we can find comfort in knowing that God is weaving a greater plan. Like the royal official, we are called to trust God's word, even when the outcome is uncertain. Let us hold onto this hope and faith, allowing them to guide us through life's challenges, knowing that God's promises are always for our good. The moral lesson here is clear: faith and trust in God's plan lead us to experience His grace and salvation.