Daily Readings - Mon Apr 03 2023
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 readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of humility, service, and the profound love of God for his people. In the first reading from Isaiah, we encounter a beautiful description of God’s chosen servant, who is gentle, just, and filled with the Spirit. 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. Isaiah reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways, and his justice is not limited to the powerful or the loud. The servant’s mission is to open the eyes of the blind, free the captive, and bring light to those in darkness. This passage is a prophecy of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who embodies these qualities perfectly.
In the Gospel, we see Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus’ feet with costly perfume, an act of extravagant love and devotion. While Judas criticizes her for what he sees as wastefulness, Jesus defends her, explaining that her action is a preparation for his burial. This moment reveals the depth of Mary’s faith and love for Jesus, as well as the contrast between her selfless generosity and Judas’ selfishness. The passage also highlights the tension between those who seek to follow Jesus and those who oppose him, even among his own disciples. The raising of Lazarus and the subsequent plot to kill him show how Jesus’ presence and power provoke both faith and fear.
These readings call us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Like Mary, we are invited to offer our lives, our time, and our resources to God with humility and love. Like the servant in Isaiah, we are called to be instruments of God’s justice and light in a world that often prefers darkness. The moral lesson here is clear: true greatness is found in serving others, not in seeking power or wealth. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to pour out our lives for others, as Jesus did for us? Are we willing to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems difficult or counterintuitive? May we follow the example of Jesus, the gentle servant, and may our lives be a fragrance of love and hope to those around us.