Daily Readings - Wed Jul 22 2020
First Reading - Song of Solomon 3.1-4a or 2 Corinthians 5.14-17
Song of Solomon
1On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not.2I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not.3The watchmen found me as they went about in the city. "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"4Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her who conceived me.
2 Corinthians
14For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
John
1Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.12And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.13They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."14Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.15Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).17Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"--and that he had said these things to her.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives of seeking and finding, each offering insights into our spiritual journey. The first reading from Song of Solomon presents a poetic allegory of the soul's longing for divine love. The bride's relentless search for her beloved symbolizes our own quest for a deeper connection with God, emphasizing perseverance and devotion. This text, often seen as an allegory of divine love, reminds us that our spiritual seeking is a noble and necessary pursuit.
The Gospel reading from John recounts Mary Magdalene's emotional encounter with the risen Jesus. Her unwavering dedication and the transformative moment of recognition highlight the personal and intimate relationship we can have with Christ. This narrative, set in the context of Easter, underscores themes of resurrection and new life, inviting us to reflect on the transformative power of encountering Jesus.
Both readings encourage us to embrace our journey of seeking God with faith and hope. Just as the bride and Mary found their beloved in unexpected ways, we too can trust that our seeking is not in vain. Our daily lives, marked by moments of uncertainty, can be transformed by the assurance that God reveals Himself in His time. Let us approach each day with the persistence of the bride and the devotion of Mary, trusting in the promise of encounter and renewal. May our hearts remain open to the transformative power of Christ's presence, guiding us to live as witnesses of His love.