Daily Readings - Tue Jul 22 2025
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, each offering a unique perspective on the human and divine connection. The first reading from the Song of Solomon presents a poetic dialogue between two lovers, where the bride expresses her deep longing and relentless search for her beloved. Her journey through the night, the city streets, and her encounter with the watchers symbolizes the universal human quest for connection and meaning. This passage, often interpreted allegorically, reflects the soul’s yearning for God, emphasizing persistence and passion in seeking a deeper relationship with the divine.
The Gospel reading from John shifts our focus to a moment of profound revelation. Mary Magdalene, overwhelmed with grief, discovers the empty tomb and encounters the risen Jesus. Her tears of sorrow turn to joy as she recognizes the Lord, who commissions her to share the news of his resurrection with the disciples. This narrative underscores the transformative power of love and faith, as Mary’s unwavering devotion leads her to be the first witness of the resurrection, a moment that changes the course of history.
These readings, though distinct in context, are united by themes of love, perseverance, and the fulfillment of longing. The bride’s relentless search in the Song of Solomon mirrors Mary’s steadfastness in her grief and faith. Both stories remind us that our spiritual journeys, marked by moments of uncertainty and searching, are ultimately met with the fulfillment of God’s presence. In our daily lives, we are called to emulate this persistence and trust, knowing that even in darkness, God’s love and light prevail. Let us approach our own challenges with the same courage and devotion, trusting that our seeking will lead us to encounter the divine in unexpected and transformative ways.