Daily Readings - Fri Mar 31 2023
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 describes the prophet’s anguish and trust in God as he faces persecution and mockery from those who oppose his message. Despite feeling overwhelmed and betrayed, Jeremiah affirms his confidence in God’s justice and deliverance, knowing that his persecutors will ultimately be confounded. The Gospel from John presents Jesus facing similar hostility from the Jews, who accuse Him of blasphemy for claiming a divine relationship with the Father. Jesus defends His identity by referencing Scripture and the works He performs, which manifest the Father’s presence within Him. He invites His hearers to believe, not just in His words, but in the divine reality they reveal.
Both readings highlight the recurring theme of standing firm in the face of opposition for the sake of truth. Jeremiah and Jesus remind us that living according to God’s will often leads to misunderstanding and resistance. Jeremiah’s lament shows us that even the most faithful servants of God can feel isolated and persecuted, yet their ultimate hope lies in God’s unwavering presence. Jesus, on the other hand, demonstrates how to respond to such opposition with clarity, compassion, and trust in the Father. His words challenge us to examine our own relationship with God and to recognize the divine presence at work in our lives.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they apply to our daily lives. We, too, may face challenges or criticism for living out our faith, whether in our personal relationships, workplaces, or communities. Like Jeremiah, we may feel the sting of betrayal or the weight of solitude. Like Jesus, we are called to remain steadfast, trusting that God is with us even when the world seems against us. The moral lesson here is clear: our identity and strength come from God, not from human approval. Let us strive to live with the courage and humility of these two figures, knowing that our ultimate vindication lies not in this world but in the eternal plan of God.