Daily Readings - Fri Mar 16 2018

First Reading - Wisdom 2.1a, 12-22

¹For they have said, reasoning with themselves incorrectly: "Our lifetime is brief and tedious, and there is no relief within the limits of man, and no one is acknowledged to have returned from the dead¹²Therefore, let us encircle the just, because he is useless to us, and he is against our works, and he reproaches us with our legal offenses, and makes known to us the sins of our way of life¹³He promises that he has the knowledge of God and he calls himself the son of God¹⁴He was made among us to expose our very thoughts¹⁵He is grievous for us even to behold, for his life is unlike other men’s lives, and immutable are his ways¹⁶It is as if we are considered by him to be insignificant, and he abstains from our ways as from filth; he prefers the newly justified, and he glories that he has God for his father¹⁷Let us see, then, if his words are true, and let us test what will happen to him, and then we will know what his end will be¹⁸For if he is the true son of God, he will receive him and deliver him from the hands of his adversaries¹⁹Let us examine him with insult and torture, that we may know his reverence and try his patience²⁰Let us condemn him to a most shameful death, for, according to his own words, God will care for him.²¹These things they thought, and they were mistaken, for their own malice blinded them²²And they were ignorant of the mysteries of God; they neither hoped for the reward of justice, nor judged the value of holy souls

Gospel - John 7.1-2, 10, 25-30

John

Chapter 7

¹Then, after these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee. For he was not willing to walk in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him²Now the feast day of the Jews, the Feast of Tabernacles, was near¹⁰But after his brothers went up, then he also went up to the feast day, not openly, but as if in secret²⁵Therefore, some of those from Jerusalem said: "Is he not the one whom they are seeking to kill²⁶And behold, he is speaking openly, and they say nothing to him. Could the leaders have decided that it is true this one is the Christ²⁷But we know him and where he is from. And when the Christ has arrived, no one will know where he is from.²⁸Therefore, Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying: "You know me, and you also know where I am from. And I have not arrived of myself, but he who sent me is true, and him you do not know²⁹I know him. For I am from him, and he has sent me.³⁰Therefore, they were seeking to apprehend him, and yet no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two narratives that explore the themes of righteousness, doubt, and divine providence. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom describes the wicked plotting against a just man, questioning his claims of being God's son and planning to test his faith. The Gospel from John depicts Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles, where he speaks openly despite the authorities seeking to kill him. The people are divided, some questioning his identity while others recognize him, yet he continues to teach, trusting in God's plan. The context of these readings reveals the tension between faith and skepticism. The Book of Wisdom, written to encourage faith amidst persecution, highlights the folly of the wicked who fail to see God's presence in the just. In John's Gospel, the setting is a time of growing opposition to Jesus, illustrating the confusion and doubt among the people about his true identity. Both passages reflect the universal struggle between good and evil, with the righteous facing trials while trusting in God's deliverance. These readings relate to each other through the common thread of opposition to a righteous figure. The just man in Wisdom and Jesus in John both face skepticism and hostility. Their stories remind us that standing up for our faith can lead to isolation and misunderstanding. Yet, they encourage us to remain steadfast, trusting in God's plan and presence in our lives. In our daily lives, we may face similar challenges, feeling isolated or misunderstood when standing up for our beliefs. These readings remind us to trust in God's providence, even when surrounded by doubt or adversity. They teach us that our true identity and strength come from God, and we can find comfort in His presence, knowing He will guide us through trials. The moral lesson here is one of faith and perseverance. Both the just man and Jesus exemplify unwavering commitment to their divine mission, trusting in God's deliverance. They show us that true wisdom and strength come from God, and we can find peace in His presence, even amidst adversity. Let us draw inspiration from these narratives, standing firm in our faith and trusting in God's plan for our lives.