Daily Readings - Tue Jul 22 2025

First Reading - Song of Solomon 3.1-4a or 2 Corinthians 5.14-17

¹Bride: On my bed, throughout the night, I sought him whom my soul loves. I sought him, and did not find him²I will rise up, and I will circle through the city. Through the side streets and thoroughfares, I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, and did not find him³The watchers who guard the city found me: "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?⁴When I had passed by them a little, I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not release him, until I would bring him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her who bore me

2 Corinthians

Chapter 5

¹⁴For the charity of Christ urges us on, in consideration of this: that if one died for all, then all have died¹⁵And Christ died for all, so that even those who live might not now live for themselves, but for him who died for them and who rose again¹⁶And so, from now on, we know no one according to the flesh. And though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him in this way no longer¹⁷So if anyone is a new creature in Christ, what is old has passed away. Behold, all things have been made new

John

Chapter 20

¹Then on the first Sabbath, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and she saw that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb¹¹But Mary was standing outside the tomb, weeping. Then, while she was weeping, she bowed down and gazed into the tomb¹²And she saw two Angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been placed, one at the head, and one at the feet¹³They say to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have placed him.¹⁴When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus¹⁵Jesus said to her: "Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?" Considering that it was the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have moved him, tell me where you have placed him, and I will take him away.¹⁶Jesus said to her, "Mary!" And turning, she said to him, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher)¹⁷Jesus said to her: "Do not touch me. For I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brothers and tell them: ‘I am ascending to my Father and to your Father, to my God and to your God.’ ¹⁸Mary Magdalene went, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord, and these are the things that he said to me.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two profound expressions of love and devotion, each offering a unique perspective on the human and divine connection. The first reading from the Song of Solomon presents a poetic dialogue between two lovers, where the bride expresses her deep longing and relentless search for her beloved. Her journey through the night, the city streets, and her encounter with the watchers symbolizes the universal human quest for connection and meaning. This passage, often interpreted allegorically, reflects the soul’s yearning for God, emphasizing persistence and passion in seeking a deeper relationship with the divine. The Gospel reading from John shifts our focus to a moment of profound revelation. Mary Magdalene, overwhelmed with grief, discovers the empty tomb and encounters the risen Jesus. Her tears of sorrow turn to joy as she recognizes the Lord, who commissions her to share the news of his resurrection with the disciples. This narrative underscores the transformative power of love and faith, as Mary’s unwavering devotion leads her to be the first witness of the resurrection, a moment that changes the course of history. These readings, though distinct in context, are united by themes of love, perseverance, and the fulfillment of longing. The bride’s relentless search in the Song of Solomon mirrors Mary’s steadfastness in her grief and faith. Both stories remind us that our spiritual journeys, marked by moments of uncertainty and searching, are ultimately met with the fulfillment of God’s presence. In our daily lives, we are called to emulate this persistence and trust, knowing that even in darkness, God’s love and light prevail. Let us approach our own challenges with the same courage and devotion, trusting that our seeking will lead us to encounter the divine in unexpected and transformative ways.