Daily Readings - Sun Feb 16 2025
Jeremiah
5Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.6He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.7"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.8He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
1 Corinthians
12Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?16For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.19If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Luke
17And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon,20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.21"Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied."Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.22"Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!23Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.24"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.25"Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry."Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.26"Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of trust, faith, and the ultimate source of our hope and happiness. The prophet Jeremiah contrasts the one who trusts in human strength with the one who places their confidence in God. The first is like a barren tree in the desert, while the latter is like a tree planted by flowing water, fruitful and unafraid of drought. This image reminds us that our spiritual vitality depends on where we root our trust.
In the second reading, St. Paul emphasizes the centrality of the resurrection of Christ. He warns that if we deny the possibility of rising from the dead, we undermine the very foundation of our faith. Christ’s resurrection is not just a historical event but the promise of new life for all who believe. This truth should shape our hope and how we live, for we are not limited to this earthly life but are destined for eternal life with God.
In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims the Beatitudes, blessing those who are poor, hungry, and weeping, while issuing a warning to those who are comfortable and complacent. His words challenge us to reevaluate what we value. True happiness does not come from wealth or fleeting pleasures but from trusting in God’s plan and living according to His will. Let us ask ourselves today: Where do we place our trust? Do we seek comfort in the things of this world, or do we root our lives in the eternal promises of God? May we embrace the humility and hope of the Beatitudes, knowing that our true reward lies in heaven.