Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 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.
Psalm 18
1I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.3I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.4The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.5The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.6In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.7Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.8There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.9He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.10And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.11He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.12At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.13The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.14Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.15Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.16He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.17He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.18They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.19He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.20The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.21For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.22For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.23I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.24Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.25With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;26With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.27For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.28For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.29For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.30As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.31For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?32It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.33He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.34He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.35Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.36Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.37I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.38I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.39For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.40Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.41They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.42Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.43Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.44As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.45The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.46The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.47It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.48He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.49Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.50Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.
Gospel: John 10.31-42
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.