Daily Readings - Wed Apr 17 2019
Isaiah
4The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.5The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.6I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.7But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.8He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.9Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.
Matthew
14Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests15and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.16And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.17Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?"18He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'"19And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.20When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.21And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."22And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?"23He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me.24The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."25Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so."26Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful moments of faith and betrayal. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a servant who, despite suffering and humiliation, remains steadfast in his trust in God. The servant describes how he has been given the strength to endure insults and hardships, and he refuses to turn away from the path set before him. This passage is part of a series of “Suffering Servant” songs in Isaiah, which prophetically point to the Messiah who would endure suffering for the sake of others. The servant’s unwavering commitment to God’s will serves as a model of faith and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the events leading up to the Last Supper. Here, we see the stark contrast between Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ selfless love. Judas, driven by greed and his own desires, agrees to hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver. Meanwhile, Jesus gathers his disciples to share a final meal, instituting the Eucharist as a sign of his enduring love and presence among them. Even as Jesus reveals that one of his closest friends will betray him, he does not turn away from his mission. Instead, he gives himself fully to his disciples, offering his body and blood as a gift of life and redemption.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and with others. Like the servant in Isaiah, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or difficult. Like the disciples, we are called to receive the gift of Jesus’ presence in our lives and to live in gratitude for his sacrifice. At the same time, we are reminded of the reality of sin and betrayal—both in the world and in our own hearts. Let us ask ourselves: Where do we place our trust? How do we respond to suffering or betrayal? And how do we live out the love and self-giving that Jesus modeled for us? May we strive to follow Jesus’ example, offering ourselves in love and service to others, even as we acknowledge our own weaknesses and limitations.