Daily Readings - Tue Apr 12 2022
Isaiah
1Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.2He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.3And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified."4But I said, "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God."5And now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him--for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength--6he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
John
21After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.23One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table close to Jesus,24so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking.25So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, "Lord, who is it?"26Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.27Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly."28Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him.29Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.30So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.31When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.32If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.'36Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward."37Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."38Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, mission, and the mysterious ways of God’s providence. In the first reading from Isaiah, the prophet speaks as the servant of the Lord, expressing both his struggles and his ultimate trust in God’s plan. Despite feeling that his efforts have been in vain, the servant is reminded that his mission is not limited to Israel but extends to the Gentiles, making him a light to the nations. This passage emphasizes that our work, even when it seems futile, is part of a larger divine plan that only God can fully understand.
In the Gospel, Jesus reveals to his disciples that one of them will betray him, and he identifies Judas as the one who will carry out this act. While the disciples are confused and uncertain, Jesus remains calm, knowing that this betrayal is part of the plan that will lead to his glorification. Peter’s bold declaration to lay down his life for Jesus is met with a gentle correction, as Jesus predicts Peter’s denial. This passage reminds us that even in moments of failure or weakness, God’s plan unfolds in ways we cannot fully grasp. Like the servant in Isaiah, we are called to trust in God’s providence, even when the path ahead seems dark or uncertain.
These readings challenge us to embrace our own missions with faith and perseverance. Like the servant and like Peter, we may stumble or feel that our efforts are in vain, but God’s plan is always greater than our limited understanding. Let us trust in God’s timing and providence, knowing that our lives are part of a larger story of salvation. May we, like Jesus, surrender to the Father’s will, even when it leads us through difficult or unexpected paths. In doing so, we become instruments of God’s light and love in a world that so desperately needs it.