Daily Readings - Wed Mar 27 2024
Isaiah
4The Lord has given me a learned tongue, so that I would know how to uphold with a word, one who has weakened. He rises in the morning, he rises to my ear in the morning, so that I may heed him like a teacher5The Lord God has opened my ear. And I do not contradict him. I have not turned back6I have given my body to those who strike me, and my cheeks to those who plucked them. I have not averted my face from those who rebuked me and who spit on me7The Lord God is my helper. Therefore, I have not been confounded. Therefore, I have set my face like a very hard rock, and I know that I will not be confounded8He who justifies me is near. Who will speak against me? Let us stand together. Who is my adversary? Let him approach me9Behold, the Lord God is my helper. Who is the one who would condemn me? Behold, they will all be worn away like a garment; the moth will devour them
Matthew
14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the leaders of the priests15and he said to them, "What are you willing to give me, if I hand him over to you?" So they appointed thirty pieces of silver for him16And from then on, he sought an opportunity to betray him17Then, on the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus, saying, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?18So Jesus said, "Go into the city, to a certain one, and say to him: ‘The Teacher said: My time is near. I am observing the Passover with you, along with my disciples.’ 19And the disciples did just as Jesus appointed to them. And they prepared the Passover20Then, when evening arrived, he sat at table with his twelve disciples21And while they were eating, he said: "Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me.22And being greatly saddened, each one of them began to say, "Surely, it is not I, Lord?23But he responded by saying: "He who dips his hand with me into the dish, the same will betray me24Indeed, the Son of man goes, just as it has been written about him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man will be betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had not been born.25Then Judas, who betrayed him, responded by saying, "Surely, it is not I, Master?" He said to him, "You have said it.26Now while they were eating the meal, Jesus took bread, and he blessed and broke and gave it to his disciples, and he said: "Take and eat. This is my body.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons of trust and endurance through suffering. The first reading from Isaiah portrays a figure who, despite facing adversity, remains steadfast in his mission, trusting in God's guidance and support. This figure, often seen as a precursor to Christ, exemplifies unwavering faith and endurance in the face of trials.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the events leading up to the Passion of Christ. Here, we witness Judas's betrayal and Jesus's announcement of this betrayal during the Last Supper. Despite knowing the impending betrayal, Jesus remains calm and continues to fulfill His mission, trusting in God's plan. This trust is mirrored in the figure from Isaiah, highlighting the theme of enduring suffering with faith.
In our daily lives, we face our own trials and challenges. These readings encourage us to embrace trust in God, even when circumstances seem daunting. Just as Jesus trusted in His Father's plan, we too can find strength in our faith. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's providence and endure life's difficulties with courage and faith, knowing that He is always with us.