Daily Readings - Fri Mar 23 2018

First Reading - Jeremiah 20.7, 10-13

⁷O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.¹⁰For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.¹¹But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.¹²But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.¹³Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

Gospel - John 10.31-42

John

Chapter 10

³¹Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.³²Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?³³The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.³⁴Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?³⁵If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;³⁶Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?³⁷If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.³⁸But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.³⁹Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,⁴⁰And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.⁴¹And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.⁴²And many believed on him there.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives of faith and perseverance. The first reading from Jeremiah portrays the prophet in a moment of deep anguish, lamenting the persecution he endures for his faith. Despite his suffering, Jeremiah's trust in God remains unwavering, as he affirms that the Lord is his strength. In contrast, the Gospel from John presents Jesus facing intense opposition, where the Jews seek to stone him for blasphemy. Jesus defends his divine identity, urging the people to believe in him through his works, which reflect the Father's presence within him. The context of these readings reveals the challenges faced by those who serve God. Jeremiah, as a prophet, is no stranger to persecution, a common fate for those called by God. Similarly, Jesus's situation in John's Gospel highlights the growing tension between him and the Jewish authorities, who reject his divine claims. Both narratives underscore the theme of standing firm in faith despite adversity. The connection between the readings lies in their emphasis on trust and faith. Jeremiah's unwavering trust in God serves as a testament to the power of faith amidst suffering. Jesus's words challenge us to recognize his divine identity and to believe, not just in him, but in the works that manifest God's presence. These themes invite us to reflect on our own faith journey, encouraging us to remain steadfast even when faced with challenges. In our daily lives, these readings remind us to trust in God's plan, especially during difficult times. Like Jeremiah, we may face trials, but our faith should remain our anchor. Jesus's message calls us to look beyond surface-level appearances and to seek the divine hand at work in our lives. By focusing on God's works and maintaining our faith, we can navigate life's storms with confidence and hope. The moral lesson here is clear: faith and trust in God are our guiding lights. Just as Jeremiah and Jesus exemplify unwavering faith, we too can find strength in our relationship with God. Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, we are called to live out our faith with courage and perseverance, trusting that God's plan will prevail.