Daily Readings - Thu Mar 18 2021
Exodus
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 Your people, whom you led away from the land of Egypt, have sinned8They have quickly withdrawn from the way which you revealed to them.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
John
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 sin, mercy, and faith. In the first reading from Exodus, we see the Israelites turning away from God and worshiping a golden calf, a clear rejection of the covenant they had just entered into with the Lord. Moses, their leader, intercedes for them, reminding God of His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and pleading for mercy. God, moved by Moses' prayer, spares His people from destruction. This passage reminds us of the fragility of human faith and the boundless mercy of God, who is always willing to forgive when we turn back to Him.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of His divine mission and the testimony that confirms His identity as the Son of God. He references John the Baptist and the works He performs, which are signs of His Father's presence in Him. Yet, despite these testimonies, the people refuse to believe, choosing instead to cling to their own understanding of the Scriptures. Jesus laments their hardness of heart, emphasizing that true faith requires humility and openness to God's revelation. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we allow God's Word to transform us, or do we resist it, holding onto our own limited perspectives?
Both readings call us to humility and trust in God's plan. Like the Israelites, we often wander and sin, but God's mercy is always available to us. Like the people in the Gospel, we may struggle with doubt or resistance to God's truth, but Jesus invites us to come to Him with open hearts. Let us learn from Moses' intercession and Jesus' words to seek God's mercy and to trust in His promises. May we turn away from sin and toward the love of the Father, who sent His Son to save us and give us life.