Daily Readings - Mon Mar 25 2024
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 powerful images of service and love. The first reading from Isaiah describes a humble servant of the Lord, chosen to bring justice and light to the nations. This servant is not one who seeks power or recognition but instead moves with compassion and gentleness, not breaking the bruised reed or extinguishing the smoldering wick. The servant’s mission is to bring hope and liberation, even to those in darkness and confinement. This passage is a beautiful expression of God’s desire to restore and redeem His people through a servant who embodies humility and mercy.
In the Gospel, we see a different kind of service. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfumed oil, 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 highlights the tension between worldly concerns and spiritual priorities. Mary’s gesture is not about efficiency or practicality but about love and surrender. It reminds us that true service to God and others often requires sacrifice and a willingness to give without reserve.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we serve God and others in our own lives. Are we like the servant in Isaiah, moving with compassion and humility, or are we more like Judas, focused on what seems practical and efficient? Mary’s example calls us to love without counting the cost, to trust that our acts of kindness and generosity, no matter how small they may seem, have profound significance. As we strive to live as servants of the Lord, may we embrace the humility and love that these readings inspire, remembering that true greatness lies in surrendering ourselves to God’s will and serving others with hearts full of grace.