Daily Readings - Thu Mar 15 2018
Exodus
7And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.8They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'"9And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.10Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you."11But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, "O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?12Why should the Egyptians say, 'With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people.13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.'"14And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.
John
18This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.31If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true.32There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true.33You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.34Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.35He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.36But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.37And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen,38and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.39You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,40yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.41I do not receive glory from people.42But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.43I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.44How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?45Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.46If you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.47But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, unbelief, and the enduring love of God. In the first reading from Exodus, we witness the Israelites’ impatience and lack of trust in God while Moses is on Mount Sinai. They quickly turn to a golden calf, crafting their own gods and abandoning the One who had just led them out of slavery. Moses intercedes for his people, reminding God of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and God’s anger is appeased. This passage highlights the human tendency to doubt and the importance of intercession and faithfulness.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about His divine mission and the testimony that confirms His identity. He references John the Baptist and the works the Father has given Him as evidence of His divine authority. Yet, despite these signs, many refuse to believe. Jesus laments that the people study the Scriptures but fail to see how they point to Him. He warns them that their unbelief is rooted in a desire for human glory rather than a genuine pursuit of God’s truth. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts and consider whether we truly seek God or are content with superficial faith.
Both readings remind us that faith is not about seeking signs or human approval but about trusting in God’s promises and seeking His glory. Like the Israelites, we often grow impatient and lose sight of God’s presence in our lives. Like the people in the Gospel, we may intellectualize our faith without truly embracing it. Today, let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear, and to seek His glory above all else. May we learn to hear His voice and abide in His word, for it is there that we find true life.