Daily Readings - Wed Mar 14 2018
First Reading - Isaiah 49.8-15
Isaiah
Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Gospel - John 5.16-30
John
And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, redemption, and the divine nature of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Isaiah speaks of God’s covenant with His people, promising comfort and restoration. The prophet reassures those who feel abandoned, likening God’s love to that of a mother who cannot forget her child. This passage reminds us of God’s faithfulness and His plan to bring light to those in darkness, offering abundant life to all who trust in Him.
The Gospel from John deepens this message as Jesus defends His divine works, performed even on the Sabbath. Jesus reveals His unity with the Father, emphasizing that His actions are not His own but reflect the Father’s will. He speaks of His authority to give life and to judge, not out of self-interest, but in harmony with the Father’s plan. This passage challenges us to recognize Jesus’ divine role in our salvation and to honor Him as we honor the Father.
These readings remind us to trust in God’s providence, especially when we feel forgotten or lost. Like the people in Isaiah’s time, we are called to hope in God’s promises. From John, we learn that Jesus’ works and words reveal His divine mission to bring us from death to life. Let us live in faith, trusting that God is always working for our good, and may we honor Jesus as the source of eternal life, following His teachings and example in our daily lives.