Daily Readings - Fri Apr 11 2025
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 figures, Jeremiah and Jesus, who face intense opposition for their faith and message. Jeremiah, a prophet called by God, expresses his anguish and betrayal as he is mocked and persecuted by those he trusted. Despite his suffering, he remains steadfast, trusting in God's strength and justice, knowing that his persecutors will ultimately fail. Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus is accused of blasphemy by the Jews who seek to stone Him. He defends His divinity by referencing Scripture and the miraculous works that attest to His union with the Father, urging His adversaries to believe in Him through these signs.
Both readings highlight the theme of persecution for righteousness' sake. Jeremiah and Jesus exemplify unwavering commitment to God's truth despite hostility. Their experiences remind us that standing up for our faith can lead to opposition, but it is in these moments that our trust in God is most crucial. Like Jeremiah, we must lean on God's strength, and like Jesus, we must allow our actions and faith to speak volumes about our commitment to Him.
In our daily lives, we may face challenges for our beliefs, whether in our personal or public spheres. Let us draw inspiration from Jeremiah's trust and Jesus' courage. May we remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God is with us, even in the face of adversity. Let our lives be a testament to God's presence, and may our actions reflect the love and truth of Christ, even when met with opposition.