Daily Readings - Mon Mar 29 2021
Isaiah
1Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.2He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;3a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.4He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.5Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:6"I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,7to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
John
1Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.2So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table.3Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said,5"Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"6He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.7Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.8The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."9When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.10So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,11because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
Sermon
The first reading from Isaiah introduces us to the figure of the servant of the Lord, a messianic figure who embodies humility, justice, and compassion. This servant is not one who will break the bruised reed or extinguish the smoldering wick; instead, he will bring light and hope to the nations. The passage emphasizes the servant’s gentle yet steadfast commitment to justice and his role as a covenant for the people and a light to the Gentiles. The context of this passage is one of hope and redemption, as Isaiah speaks to a people in exile, promising them that God will raise up a deliverer who will restore their fortunes and bring light to all nations.
The Gospel reading from John presents a vivid contrast between selfless love and worldly concerns. Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet with costly ointment is an act of profound devotion and preparation for his burial. While Judas criticizes her for what he sees as wastefulness, Jesus defends her, emphasizing that her actions are a beautiful expression of love and preparation for his impending death. The context here is the tension between those who follow Jesus and those who oppose him, including the Pharisees who now seek to kill Lazarus as well. The passage highlights the contrast between Mary’s humility and generosity and the greed and hardness of heart of those who oppose Jesus.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the values of humility, compassion, and selfless love. In Isaiah, we see the servant’s gentle yet unwavering commitment to justice and hope. In John, we see Mary’s extravagant love for Jesus, which stands in stark contrast to the calculating selfishness of Judas and the Pharisees. These readings call us to examine our own hearts and actions. Are we like Mary, willing to pour out our lives in love and service, or are we like Judas, focused on our own gain and comfort? The servant of the Lord in Isaiah reminds us that true strength lies in humility and compassion, not in power or control.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Where can we show greater humility and kindness? How can we, like Mary, offer our lives and resources as an act of love and devotion? Let us also remember that, like the servant in Isaiah, we are called to be a light to others, bringing hope and justice to a world in need. May we strive to live with the same selfless love and gentle strength that Jesus modeled for us, trusting that even in the darkest times, God’s plan of redemption is at work.