Daily Readings - Mon Apr 11 2022
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments that illuminate the mission of Jesus and our response to it. The first reading from Isaiah presents a servant who is gentle, just, and a light to the nations, embodying the Messiah's role. This servant's mission is one of restoration and hope, not of power or dominance. In contrast, the Gospel from John shows Mary's extravagant act of anointing Jesus with costly ointment, a gesture of love and preparation for His burial. This act, though questioned by Judas, is defended by Jesus, who emphasizes that while the poor will always be present, His time with them is limited.
The context of these readings is pivotal. Isaiah's prophecy sets the stage for a Messiah who would bring light and justice, while John's narrative occurs near the end of Jesus' ministry, highlighting the tension between His impending death and the reactions of those around Him. Both readings converge on the theme of Jesus as the suffering servant, whose mission is to bring light and hope to all.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to respond with humility and love. Like Mary, we are invited to embrace radical acts of faith, trusting in God's plan even when it seems perplexing. We are reminded to serve the poor and marginalized, yet also to cherish moments of intimate worship and sacrifice. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and be willing to serve and love sacrificially, as Jesus did. Let us embrace this call with openness and faith, allowing His light to guide us in our journey.