Daily Readings - Fri Mar 26 2021
Jeremiah
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
John
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 powerful testimonies of faith amidst adversity. The first reading from Jeremiah portrays the prophet’s anguish and trust in God. Jeremiah feels deceived and persecuted by those he trusted, yet he clings to the conviction that God is his strength and will ultimately vindicate him. The Gospel from John shows Jesus facing similar hostility. Accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God, Jesus defends his identity by pointing to his works and the unity he shares with the Father. Both readings highlight the tension between suffering and trust in God’s plan.
The context of these readings reveals the common theme of persecution for one’s faith. Jeremiah, as a prophet, faced opposition for speaking God’s truth, while Jesus faced increasing hostility as he revealed more about his divine identity. Both situations remind us that standing up for what is right often comes with a cost. Jeremiah’s raw emotion and Jesus’ calm defense show us different yet valid responses to suffering. Their trust in God, however, remains unwavering.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we handle challenges in our own lives. Like Jeremiah and Jesus, we may face situations where we feel misunderstood or mistreated. The key is to trust that God is with us, even when the path is difficult. Jesus’ words remind us to look at the “works” in our lives—how we love and serve others—as a testament to our faith. Let us strive to remain faithful, knowing that God’s justice and love will ultimately prevail.