Daily Readings - Sat Mar 20 2021
Jeremiah
18The LORD made it known to me and I knew; then you showed me their deeds.19But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. I did not know it was against me they devised schemes, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more."20But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause.
John
40When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This really is the Prophet."41Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee?42Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?"43So there was a division among the people over him.44Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.45The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?"46The officers answered, "No one ever spoke like this man!"47The Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived?48Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?49But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed."50Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them,51"Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?"52They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." [The earliest manuscripts do not include John 7:53-8:11]53[[They went each to his own house,
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of faith and discernment. The first reading from Jeremiah portrays the prophet's trust in God's justice amidst betrayal. Jeremiah, aware of the plots against him, turns to God, seeking vengeance but also demonstrating his faith in God's just judgment. This passage highlights Jeremiah's meek acceptance of his fate, relying on God's righteousness rather than his own strength.
In the Gospel, John 7:40-53, we witness the division among the people regarding Jesus. Some recognize Him as the Prophet or the Messiah, while others doubt, citing His Galilean origins. The Pharisees dismiss the crowd as ignorant and question the validity of a prophet from Galilee. Nicodemus, however, advocates for a fair hearing, challenging the hasty judgment of the Pharisees. This passage underscores the theme of discernment and the importance of seeking truth beyond appearances.
Both readings invite us to reflect on trust and discernment in our own lives. Like Jeremiah, we may face challenges where we must trust in God's justice rather than our own understanding. Similarly, when encountering doubts or uncertainties, we are called to seek God's will, as Jesus exemplifies, rather than relying on superficial judgments. Let us pray for the grace to trust in God's plan and to discern His truth in our lives, especially when faced with opposition or uncertainty.