Daily Readings - Mon Apr 14 2025
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 powerful images of hope, justice, and selfless love. The first reading from Isaiah presents us with a vision of God’s servant, a figure of humility and compassion, who is called to bring light to the nations and freedom to those in darkness. This servant is not one who shouts or breaks the fragile; instead, he gently leads with justice and truth. The passage reminds us that God’s work is often quiet, persistent, and rooted in mercy, even in the face of great challenges.
The Gospel reading from John shifts our focus to a moment of intimate love and controversy. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly ointment, an act of extravagant devotion that fills the room with its fragrance. While Judas criticizes her for what he sees as wastefulness, Jesus defends her, pointing to the deeper truth: her actions are a preparation for his burial, a sign of love in the face of death. This moment teaches us that true love is not measured by practicality but by the depth of the heart. It also reminds us that the poor will always be among us, but Jesus—our Lord and Savior—will not always be physically present. Therefore, we must cherish every opportunity to honor him and serve others in his name.
These readings call us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Like Isaiah’s servant, we are called to be instruments of justice and light, even in small, quiet ways. Like Mary, we are invited to offer our lives, talents, and resources as acts of love and worship, trusting that God will use them for his purposes. In a world often driven by noise and efficiency, these readings remind us of the beauty of humility, compassion, and selfless love. May we strive to embody these qualities, knowing that they are the very heart of God’s kingdom.