Daily Readings - Wed Jul 29 2020

¹⁰"O my mother, woe to me! Why did you conceive me, a man of strife, a man of discord to all the earth? I have not lent money at interest, nor has anyone lent money at interest to me. Yet everyone is cursing me.¹⁶I discovered your words and I consumed them. And your word became to me as the gladness and joy of my heart. For your name has been invoked over me, O Lord, the God of hosts¹⁷I did not sit in the company of mockers, nor did I glorify myself before the presence of your hand. I sat alone, because you filled me with threats¹⁸Why has my sorrow become never-ending, and why has my wound become so dire that it refuses to be cured? It has become for me like the deception of untrustworthy waters.¹⁹Because of this, thus says the Lord: "If you will be converted, I will convert you. And you will stand before my face. And you will separate what is precious from what is vile. You will be my mouthpiece. They will be converted to you, but you will not be converted to them²⁰And I will present you to this people as a strong wall of brass. And they will fight against you, and they will not prevail. For I am with you, so as to save you and to rescue you, says the Lord²¹And I will free you from hand of those who are most wicked, and I will redeem you from the hand of the powerful.

Gospel - John 11.17-27 or Luke 10.38-42

John

Chapter 11

¹⁷And so Jesus went. And he found that he had already been in the tomb for four days¹⁸(Now Bethania was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia.¹⁹And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, so as to console them over their brother²⁰Therefore, Martha, when she heard that Jesus was arriving, went out to meet him. But Mary was sitting at home²¹And then Martha said to Jesus: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died²²But even now, I know that whatever you will request from God, God will give to you.²³Jesus said to her, "Your brother shall rise again.²⁴Martha said to him, "I know that he shall rise again, at the resurrection on the last day.²⁵Jesus said to her: "I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, even though he has died, he shall live²⁶And everyone who lives and believes in me shall not die for eternity. Do you believe this?²⁷She said to him: "Certainly, Lord. I have believed that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God, who has come into this world.

Luke

Chapter 10

³⁸Now it happened that, while they were traveling, he entered into a certain town. And a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her home³⁹And she had a sister, named Mary, who, while sitting beside the Lord’s feet, was listening to his word⁴⁰Now Martha was continually busying herself with serving. And she stood still and said: "Lord, is it not a concern to you that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, speak to her, so that she may help me.⁴¹And the Lord responded by saying to her: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled over many things⁴²And yet only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the best portion, and it shall not be taken away from her.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound expressions of faith amidst adversity. The prophet Jeremiah voices his sorrow and isolation, feeling the weight of his mission as he faces opposition and threats. Despite his struggles, he clings to God's promise of redemption and the strength to fulfill his role as a mouthpiece for the divine. In the Gospel, Martha, grieving the loss of her brother Lazarus, expresses her unwavering faith in Jesus's power, acknowledging Him as the Resurrection and Life. Her dialogue with Jesus highlights the transformative power of belief, even in the face of death. Jeremiah's context is one of turmoil; as a prophet, he is called to deliver difficult messages, leading to isolation and persecution. His lament reflects the human struggle of feeling overwhelmed yet remaining faithful. Martha's situation is one of personal loss, yet her interaction with Jesus showcases her deep trust in His divine authority and the hope of eternal life. Both narratives illustrate the universal human experience of grappling with suffering while seeking solace in faith. These readings remind us that faith is not about escaping hardship but navigating it with trust in God's plan. Jeremiah's perseverance and Martha's unwavering belief encourage us to hold onto faith during life's challenges. Jesus's declaration as the Resurrection and Life invites us to embrace the hope that transcends even death. As we face our own struggles, may we find strength in God's promises, trusting in His presence and plan, and may our faith be the cornerstone that sustains us through every trial.