Daily Readings - Mon Apr 01 2019
Isaiah
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
John
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 profound visions of hope and faith. The passage from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a new heavens and a new earth, where sorrow and pain are no more. This vision is not just a distant dream but a promise of restoration and joy, reminding us that God's plan is one of ultimate peace and happiness. In contrast, the Gospel of John presents a tangible miracle: Jesus healing the official's son. This act, the second sign in Galilee, underscores Jesus' authority and the power of faith. The official's trust in Jesus' word, without needing to see the miracle firsthand, exemplifies the kind of faith we are called to embrace.
These readings, though separated by time and context, are deeply connected. Isaiah's vision of a renewed world requires trust in God's promise, much like the official's trust in Jesus' assurance. Both narratives highlight the transformative power of belief. In Isaiah, the hope of a new creation invites us to trust in God's future promises. In John, the official's faith leads to immediate healing, illustrating that faith can lead to tangible, life-changing results. Together, they remind us that faith is not passive but active, leading us to trust God even when the outcome is uncertain.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace faith with confidence. Like the official, we may face situations where we must trust God's word without seeing immediate results. Yet, this trust is precisely what leads to transformation. As we navigate life's challenges, we are called to hold onto hope, knowing that God's promises are reliable. The moral lesson here is clear: faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, enabling us to live with hope and trust, even in uncertain times. Let us, therefore, cultivate this faith, trusting in God's plan and His promise of eternal life.