Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 16, 2019
First Reading: Isaiah 49.1-6
1Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.2He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.3And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified."4But I said, "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God."5And now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him--for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength--6he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
Psalm 71
1In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!2In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!3Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.4Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.5For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.6Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.7I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.8My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.9Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.10For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together11and say, "God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him."12O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!13May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.14But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.15My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.16With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.17O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.18So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.19Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?20You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.21You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.22I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.23My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.24And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.
Gospel: John 13.21-33, 36-38
21After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.23One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table close to Jesus,24so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking.25So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, "Lord, who is it?"26Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.27Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly."28Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him.29Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.30So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.31When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.32If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.'36Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward."37Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."38Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on trust and mission. The first reading from Isaiah describes the prophet's divine call and mission to be a light to the Gentiles. Despite feelings of futility, Isaiah trusts in God's plan, emphasizing the universal scope of salvation. The Gospel from John presents a poignant scene where Jesus reveals Judas's betrayal and engages with Peter's loyalty, highlighting the challenges of discipleship and the ultimate trust required in following Christ.
Both readings intertwine themes of trust and mission. Isaiah's trust in God's plan, despite adversity, mirrors Jesus' acceptance of His Passion. The prophet's mission to the Gentiles foreshadows the universal mission of Christ's Church. Jesus' interaction with His disciples underscores the complexities of loyalty and betrayal, yet reinforces the necessity of faithfulness.
In our lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God's plan and our commitment to His mission. Like Isaiah, we may face challenges that test our faith, but trusting in God's providence guides us. Like Peter, we strive for loyalty, though we may falter. Let us embrace our mission with faith, trusting that God's plan unfolds even in darkness, and remain faithful in our discipleship, following Christ with courage and love.