Daily Readings - Fri Mar 23 2018

First Reading - Jeremiah 20.7, 10-13

⁷"You have led me away, O Lord, and I have been led away. You have been stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I have become a derision all day long; everyone mocks me¹⁰For I heard the insults of many, and terror all around: ‘Persecute him!’ and, ‘Let us persecute him!’ from all the men who had been at peace with me and who had kept watch by my side. ‘If only there were some way that he might be deceived, and we might prevail against him and obtain vengeance from him!¹¹But the Lord is with me, like a strong warrior. For this reason, those who persecute me will fall, and they will be ineffective. They will be greatly confounded. For they have not understood the everlasting disgrace that will never be wiped away¹²And you, O Lord of hosts, the Tester of the just, who sees the temperament and the heart: I beg you to let me see your vengeance upon them. For I have revealed my case to you¹³Sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord! For he has freed the soul of the poor from the hand of the wicked

Gospel - John 10.31-42

John

Chapter 10

³¹Therefore, the Jews took up stones, in order to stone him³²Jesus answered them: "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?³³The Jews answered him: "We do not stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy and because, though you are a man, you make yourself God.³⁴Jesus responded to them: "Is it not written in your law, ‘I said: you are gods?³⁵If he called those to whom the word of God was given gods, and Scripture cannot be broken³⁶why do you say, about him whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You have blasphemed,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?³⁷If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe in me³⁸But if I do them, even if you are not willing to believe in me, believe the works, so that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.³⁹Therefore, they sought to apprehend him, but he escaped from their hands⁴⁰And he went again across the Jordan, to that place where John first was baptizing. And he lodged there⁴¹And many went out to him. And they were saying: "Indeed, John accomplished no signs⁴²But all things whatsoever that John said about this man were true." And many believed in him

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives of faith and perseverance. The first reading from Jeremiah portrays the prophet in a moment of deep anguish, lamenting the persecution he endures for his faith. Despite his suffering, Jeremiah's trust in God remains unwavering, as he affirms that the Lord is his strength. In contrast, the Gospel from John presents Jesus facing intense opposition, where the Jews seek to stone him for blasphemy. Jesus defends his divine identity, urging the people to believe in him through his works, which reflect the Father's presence within him. The context of these readings reveals the challenges faced by those who serve God. Jeremiah, as a prophet, is no stranger to persecution, a common fate for those called by God. Similarly, Jesus's situation in John's Gospel highlights the growing tension between him and the Jewish authorities, who reject his divine claims. Both narratives underscore the theme of standing firm in faith despite adversity. The connection between the readings lies in their emphasis on trust and faith. Jeremiah's unwavering trust in God serves as a testament to the power of faith amidst suffering. Jesus's words challenge us to recognize his divine identity and to believe, not just in him, but in the works that manifest God's presence. These themes invite us to reflect on our own faith journey, encouraging us to remain steadfast even when faced with challenges. In our daily lives, these readings remind us to trust in God's plan, especially during difficult times. Like Jeremiah, we may face trials, but our faith should remain our anchor. Jesus's message calls us to look beyond surface-level appearances and to seek the divine hand at work in our lives. By focusing on God's works and maintaining our faith, we can navigate life's storms with confidence and hope. The moral lesson here is clear: faith and trust in God are our guiding lights. Just as Jeremiah and Jesus exemplify unwavering faith, we too can find strength in our relationship with God. Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, we are called to live out our faith with courage and perseverance, trusting that God's plan will prevail.