Daily Readings - Mon Mar 29 2021
Isaiah
1Behold my servant, I will uphold him, my elect, with him my soul is well-pleased. I have sent my Spirit upon him. He will offer judgment to the nations2He will not cry out, and he will not show favoritism to anyone; neither will his voice be heard abroad3The bruised reed he will not break, and the smoldering wick he will not extinguish. He will lead forth judgment unto truth4He will not be saddened or troubled, until he establishes judgment on earth. And the islands will await his law5Thus says the Lord God, who created the heavens and expanded it, who formed the earth and all that springs from it, who gives breath to the people in it, and spirit to those walking on it6I, the Lord, have called you in justice, and I have taken your hand and preserved you. And I have presented you as a covenant of the people, as a light to the Gentiles7so that you may open the eyes of the blind, and lead out the prisoner from confinement and those sitting in darkness from the house of incarceration
John
1Then six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethania, where Lazarus had died, whom Jesus raised up2And they made a dinner for him there. And Martha was ministering. And truly, Lazarus was one of those who were sitting at table with him3And then Mary took twelve ounces of pure spikenard ointment, very precious, and she anointed the feet of Jesus, and she wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment4Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was soon to betray him, said5"Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the needy?6Now he said this, not out of concern for the needy, but because he was a thief and, since he held the purse, he used to carry what was put into it7But Jesus said: "Permit her, so that she may keep it against the day of my burial8For the poor, you have with you always. But me, you do always not have.9Now a great multitude of the Jews knew that he was in that place, and so they came, not so much because of Jesus, but so that they might see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead10And the leaders of the priests planned to put Lazarus to death also11For many of the Jews, because of him, were going away and were believing in Jesus
Sermon
The first reading from Isaiah introduces us to the figure of the servant of the Lord, a messianic figure who embodies humility, justice, and compassion. This servant is not one who will break the bruised reed or extinguish the smoldering wick; instead, he will bring light and hope to the nations. The passage emphasizes the servant’s gentle yet steadfast commitment to justice and his role as a covenant for the people and a light to the Gentiles. The context of this passage is one of hope and redemption, as Isaiah speaks to a people in exile, promising them that God will raise up a deliverer who will restore their fortunes and bring light to all nations.
The Gospel reading from John presents a vivid contrast between selfless love and worldly concerns. Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet with costly ointment is an act of profound devotion and preparation for his burial. While Judas criticizes her for what he sees as wastefulness, Jesus defends her, emphasizing that her actions are a beautiful expression of love and preparation for his impending death. The context here is the tension between those who follow Jesus and those who oppose him, including the Pharisees who now seek to kill Lazarus as well. The passage highlights the contrast between Mary’s humility and generosity and the greed and hardness of heart of those who oppose Jesus.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the values of humility, compassion, and selfless love. In Isaiah, we see the servant’s gentle yet unwavering commitment to justice and hope. In John, we see Mary’s extravagant love for Jesus, which stands in stark contrast to the calculating selfishness of Judas and the Pharisees. These readings call us to examine our own hearts and actions. Are we like Mary, willing to pour out our lives in love and service, or are we like Judas, focused on our own gain and comfort? The servant of the Lord in Isaiah reminds us that true strength lies in humility and compassion, not in power or control.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Where can we show greater humility and kindness? How can we, like Mary, offer our lives and resources as an act of love and devotion? Let us also remember that, like the servant in Isaiah, we are called to be a light to others, bringing hope and justice to a world in need. May we strive to live with the same selfless love and gentle strength that Jesus modeled for us, trusting that even in the darkest times, God’s plan of redemption is at work.