Daily Readings - Sun Feb 13 2022
Jeremiah
5Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.6He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.7"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.8He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
1 Corinthians
12Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?16For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.19If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Luke
17And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon,20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.21"Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied."Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.22"Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!23Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.24"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.25"Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry."Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.26"Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are presented with powerful messages that guide us in our faith journey. The prophet Jeremiah warns against trusting in human strength, urging us instead to place our confidence in God, who is the source of true life and stability. This is illustrated through the metaphor of a tree planted by water, thriving even in drought, symbolizing the believer who trusts in God. In contrast, those who rely on human efforts are like a barren tree in the desert.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians emphasizes the centrality of the resurrection. Paul asserts that without the resurrection, our faith is in vain. The resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of our hope, transforming our present sufferings into a pathway to eternal life. This hope is not just for the future but empowers us to live meaningfully now, trusting in God’s plan.
In the Gospel, Jesus presents the Beatitudes, challenging societal norms by blessing the poor, hungry, and mournful. He calls us to embrace humility and compassion, promising eternal rewards for those who follow His teachings. This inversion of values encourages us to live counter-culturally, trusting in God’s promise of ultimate fulfillment.
These readings interconnect by highlighting trust in God as the foundation of a transformed life. Jeremiah’s call to trust, Paul’s hope in resurrection, and Jesus’ Beatitudes all guide us to live with faith and hope. In our daily lives, we are invited to embody these teachings by choosing humility, caring for others, and enduring trials with the hope of eternal life. Let us embrace this call, trusting in God’s plan and living with the hope that only the resurrection brings.