Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 24, 2023
First Reading: Wisdom 2.1a, 12-22
1For they have said, reasoning with themselves incorrectly: "Our lifetime is brief and tedious, and there is no relief within the limits of man, and no one is acknowledged to have returned from the dead12Therefore, let us encircle the just, because he is useless to us, and he is against our works, and he reproaches us with our legal offenses, and makes known to us the sins of our way of life13He promises that he has the knowledge of God and he calls himself the son of God14He was made among us to expose our very thoughts15He is grievous for us even to behold, for his life is unlike other men’s lives, and immutable are his ways16It is as if we are considered by him to be insignificant, and he abstains from our ways as from filth; he prefers the newly justified, and he glories that he has God for his father17Let us see, then, if his words are true, and let us test what will happen to him, and then we will know what his end will be18For if he is the true son of God, he will receive him and deliver him from the hands of his adversaries19Let us examine him with insult and torture, that we may know his reverence and try his patience20Let us condemn him to a most shameful death, for, according to his own words, God will care for him.21These things they thought, and they were mistaken, for their own malice blinded them22And they were ignorant of the mysteries of God; they neither hoped for the reward of justice, nor judged the value of holy souls
Psalm 34
1To David, when he changed his appearance in the sight of Abimelech, and so he dismissed him, and he went away. I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will be ever in my mouth2In the Lord, my soul will be praised. May the meek listen and rejoice3Magnify the Lord with me, and let us extol his name in itself4I sought the Lord, and he heeded me, and he carried me away from all my tribulations5Approach him and be enlightened, and your faces will not be confounded6This poor one cried out, and the Lord heeded him, and he saved him from all his tribulations7The Angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear him, and he will rescue them8Taste and see that the Lord is sweet. Blessed is the man who hopes in him9Fear the Lord, all you his saints. For there is no destitution for those who fear him10The rich have been needy and hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not be deprived of any good thing11Come forward, sons. Listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord12Which is the man who wills life, who chooses to see good days13Prohibit your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit14Turn away from evil, and do good. Inquire about peace, and pursue it15The eyes of the Lord are on the just, and his ears are with their prayers16But the countenance of the Lord is upon those who do evil, to perish the remembrance of them from the earth17The just cried out, and the Lord heard them, and he freed them from all their tribulations18The Lord is near to those who are troubled in heart, and he will save the humble in spirit19Many are the afflictions of the just, but from them all the Lord will free them20The Lord preserves all of their bones, not one of them shall be broken21The death of a sinner is very harmful, and those who hate the just will fare badly22The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants, and none of those who hope in him will fare badly
Gospel: John 7.1-2, 10, 25-30
1Then, after these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee. For he was not willing to walk in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him2Now the feast day of the Jews, the Feast of Tabernacles, was near10But after his brothers went up, then he also went up to the feast day, not openly, but as if in secret25Therefore, some of those from Jerusalem said: "Is he not the one whom they are seeking to kill26And behold, he is speaking openly, and they say nothing to him. Could the leaders have decided that it is true this one is the Christ27But we know him and where he is from. And when the Christ has arrived, no one will know where he is from.28Therefore, Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying: "You know me, and you also know where I am from. And I have not arrived of myself, but he who sent me is true, and him you do not know29I know him. For I am from him, and he has sent me.30Therefore, they were seeking to apprehend him, and yet no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of righteousness and the challenges it often faces. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom describes the persecution of a just man, who is mocked and tested by the wicked. These individuals question his claims of being close to God and decide to torment him to see if his faith holds true. The second reading from the Gospel of John presents Jesus, who, despite facing similar hostility, continues his mission with courage and trust in God’s plan.
Both readings share a common theme: the righteous individual standing firm against adversity. The Book of Wisdom sets the stage by illustrating the mindset of those who oppose the just, driven by malice and a lack of understanding of God’s ways. In contrast, the Gospel shows Jesus embodying this righteousness, teaching openly and affirming his divine mission even as authorities seek to apprehend him. These narratives remind us that standing up for what is right can lead to opposition, but it is in these moments that our faith is tested and refined.
In our daily lives, we may face similar challenges—situations where our values or beliefs are questioned or opposed. The readings encourage us to trust in God’s providence, just as Jesus did. When we encounter adversity, we are called to persevere, knowing that our faith is a source of strength. Let us reflect on how we can stand firm in our commitment to justice and love, even when it is difficult. May we, like the just man and Jesus, trust in God’s plan and allow our faith to guide us through life’s trials.