Daily Readings - Mon Mar 11 2024
Isaiah
17For behold, I create the new heavens and the new earth. And the former things will not be in memory and will not enter into the heart18But you will be glad and exult, even forever, in these things that I create. For behold, I create Jerusalem as an exultation, and its people as a joy19And I will exult in Jerusalem, and I will rejoice in my people. And neither a voice of weeping, nor a voice of outcry, will be heard in her anymore20There will no longer be an infant of only a few days there, nor an elder who does not complete his days. For a mere child dies at a hundred years of age, and a sinner of a hundred years will be accursed21And they will build houses, and will inhabit them. And they will plant vineyards, and will eat their fruits
John
43Then, after two days, he departed from there, and he traveled into Galilee44For Jesus himself offered testimony that a Prophet has no honor in his own country45And so, when he had arrived in Galilee, the Galileans received him, because they had seen all that he had done at Jerusalem, in the day of the feast. For they also went to the feast day46Then he went again into Cana of Galilee, where he made water into wine. And there was a certain ruler, whose son was sick at Capernaum47Since he had heard that Jesus came to Galilee from Judea, he sent to him and begged him to come down and heal his son. For he was beginning to die48Therefore, Jesus said to him, "Unless you have seen signs and wonders, you do not believe.49The ruler said to him, "Lord, come down before my son dies.50Jesus said to him, "Go, your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and so he went away51Then, as he was going down, his servants met him. And they reported to him, saying that his son was alive52Therefore, he asked them at which hour he had become better. And they said to him, "Yesterday, at the seventh hour, the fever left him.53Then the father realized that it was at the same hour that Jesus said to him, "Your son lives." And both he and his entire household believed54This next sign was the second that Jesus accomplished, after he had arrived in Galilee from Judea
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound messages of hope and transformation. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a new creation, where sorrow and death are no more, and joy and longevity define human existence. This vision was spoken to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon, offering them hope of a restored future. The Gospel from John narrates Jesus's second sign in Galilee, where He heals a nobleman's son through a word of faith, demonstrating His divine authority and the power of trust in His word.
Both readings highlight God's transformative power. Isaiah's new creation symbolizes God's ultimate restoration, while John's account shows Jesus's immediate, tangible impact through miracles. This connection reminds us that God's work is both future-oriented and present, offering hope and renewal in our current lives.
In application, these readings encourage us to trust God amidst struggles, like the nobleman who believed Jesus's word. They invite us to live with hope, knowing God is continually creating something new. The moral lesson is clear: have faith in God's promises and trust His plan, even in uncertain times. Let us embrace this hope and live joyfully, trusting in God's transformative power.