Daily Readings - Thu Mar 15 2018

First Reading - Exodus 32.7-14

⁷Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Go, descend. Your people, whom you led away from the land of Egypt, have sinned⁸They have quickly withdrawn from the way which you revealed to them. And they have made for themselves a molten calf, and they have worshiped it. And immolating victims to it, they have said: ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who led you away from the land of Egypt.’ ⁹And again, the Lord said to Moses: "I discern that this people is stiff-necked¹⁰Release me, so that my fury may be enraged against them, and I may destroy them, and then I will make of you a great nation.¹¹Then Moses prayed to the Lord his God, saying: "Why, O Lord, is your fury enraged against your people, whom you led away from the land of Egypt, with great strength and with a mighty hand¹²I beg you, let not the Egyptians say, ‘He cleverly led them away, so that he could put them to death in the mountains and destroy them from the earth.’ Let your anger be quieted and appeased concerning the wickedness of your people¹³Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your very self, saying: ‘I will multiply your offspring like the stars of heaven. And this entire land, about which I have spoken, I will give to your offspring. And you shall possess it forever.’ ¹⁴And the Lord was appeased from doing the evil which he had spoken against his people

Gospel - John 5.18, 31-47

John

Chapter 5

¹⁸And so, because of this, the Jews were seeking to kill him even more so. For not only did he break the Sabbath, but he even said that God was his Father, making himself equal to God³¹If I offer testimony about myself, my testimony is not true³²There is another who offers testimony about me, and I know that the testimony which he offers about me is true³³You sent to John, and he offered testimony to the truth³⁴But I do not accept testimony from man. Instead, I say these things, so that you may be saved³⁵He was a burning and shining light. So you were willing, at the time, to exult in his light³⁶But I hold a greater testimony than that of John. For the works which the Father has given to me, so that I may complete them, these works themselves that I do, offer testimony about me: that the Father has sent me³⁷And the Father who has sent me has himself offered testimony about me. And you have never heard his voice, nor have you beheld his appearance³⁸And you do not have his word abiding in you. For the one whom he sent, the same you would not believe³⁹Study the Scriptures. For you think that in them you have eternal life. And yet they also offer testimony about me⁴⁰And you are not willing to come to me, so that you may have life⁴¹I do not accept glory from men⁴²But I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you⁴³I have come in the name of my Father, and you do not accept me. If another will arrive in his own name, him you will accept⁴⁴How are you able to believe, you who accept glory from one another and yet do not seek the glory that is from God alone⁴⁵Do not consider that I might accuse you with the Father. There is one who accuses you, Moses, in whom you hope⁴⁶For if you were believing in Moses, perhaps you would believe in me also. For he wrote about me⁴⁷But if you do not believe by his writings, how will you believe by my words?

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, unbelief, and the enduring love of God. In the first reading from Exodus, we witness the Israelites’ impatience and lack of trust in God while Moses is on Mount Sinai. They quickly turn to a golden calf, crafting their own gods and abandoning the One who had just led them out of slavery. Moses intercedes for his people, reminding God of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and God’s anger is appeased. This passage highlights the human tendency to doubt and the importance of intercession and faithfulness. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about His divine mission and the testimony that confirms His identity. He references John the Baptist and the works the Father has given Him as evidence of His divine authority. Yet, despite these signs, many refuse to believe. Jesus laments that the people study the Scriptures but fail to see how they point to Him. He warns them that their unbelief is rooted in a desire for human glory rather than a genuine pursuit of God’s truth. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts and consider whether we truly seek God or are content with superficial faith. Both readings remind us that faith is not about seeking signs or human approval but about trusting in God’s promises and seeking His glory. Like the Israelites, we often grow impatient and lose sight of God’s presence in our lives. Like the people in the Gospel, we may intellectualize our faith without truly embracing it. Today, let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear, and to seek His glory above all else. May we learn to hear His voice and abide in His word, for it is there that we find true life.