Daily Readings - Fri Jul 22 2022
First Reading - Song of Solomon 3.1-4a or 2 Corinthians 5.14-17
Song of Solomon
1On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not.2I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not.3The watchmen found me as they went about in the city. "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"4Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her who conceived me.
2 Corinthians
14For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
John
1Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.12And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.13They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."14Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.15Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).17Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"--and that he had said these things to her.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound expressions of love and devotion. The first reading from the Song of Solomon portrays the bride’s relentless search for her beloved, symbolizing the deep longing of the soul for God. Her journey through the night, despite not finding him immediately, reflects the perseverance required in our spiritual lives. The second reading from John’s Gospel shifts our focus to Mary Magdalene, whose unwavering dedication leads her to the tomb of Jesus. Her tears of sorrow turn to joy as she encounters the risen Christ, embodying the transformative power of faith and love.
Both narratives highlight the universal human experience of seeking and finding. The bride’s search in Song of Solomon mirrors Mary’s quest in John’s Gospel, illustrating that our journey toward God is often marked by both struggle and grace. These stories remind us that faith involves persistence and trust, even in the face of uncertainty. Just as Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus brought her joy and purpose, our own encounters with God can transform our lives, providing us with the strength to face challenges and the courage to share His love with others.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we seek God in our own lives. Do we approach Him with the same persistence as the bride and Mary Magdalene? Let us remember that God is always present, even when we cannot see Him. May we, like Mary, embrace the joy of encountering Christ and share that joy with others. In doing so, we fulfill our calling to be witnesses of His love and to live as children of the light, guided by the hope of eternal life.