Daily Readings - Thu Mar 22 2018
Genesis
3Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him,4"Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.5No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.6I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.7And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.8And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God."9And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.
John
51Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."52The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.'53Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?"54Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.'55But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.56Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad."57So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?"58Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."59So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound moments of divine promise and identity. The first reading from Genesis recounts God’s covenant with Abram, renaming him Abraham, promising numerous descendants, and granting the land of Canaan. This marks the beginning of God’s covenant with His chosen people. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of eternal life through keeping His word, leading to a contentious exchange where He asserts His existence before Abraham, highlighting His divine nature.
Both readings revolve around covenants and divine promises. Genesis establishes a physical covenant with Abraham, while John presents a spiritual covenant through Jesus. This progression from Old to New Testament underscores the fulfillment of God’s promises, emphasizing that faith in Jesus transcends physical heritage, offering eternal life.
In our lives, these readings remind us to trust in God’s promises, just as Abraham did. Our faith should guide us to live according to Jesus’ teachings, nurturing a deep spiritual life. The moral lesson is clear: our identity and purpose stem from God, calling us to faithful living and trust in His eternal promises.