Daily Readings - Sun Mar 25 2018

First Reading - Isaiah 50.4-7

⁴The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.⁵The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.⁶I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.⁷For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

Second Reading - Philippians 2.6-11

Philippians

Chapter 2

⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel - Mark 15.1-39

Mark

Chapter 15

¹And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.²And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.³And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.⁴And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.⁵But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.⁶Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.⁷And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.⁸And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.⁹But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?¹⁰For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.¹¹But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.¹²And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?¹³And they cried out again, Crucify him.¹⁴Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.¹⁵And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.¹⁶And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.¹⁷And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,¹⁸And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!¹⁹And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.²⁰And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.²¹And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.²²And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.²³And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.²⁴And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.²⁵And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.²⁶And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.²⁷And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.²⁸And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.²⁹And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,³⁰Save thyself, and come down from the cross.³¹Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.³²Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.³³And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.³⁴And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?³⁵And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.³⁶And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.³⁷And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.³⁸And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.³⁹And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on humility, trust, and the ultimate sacrifice of love. The first reading from Isaiah presents a figure who, despite suffering, remains steadfast in faith, trusting in God's plan without turning back. This figure, often seen as a prophecy of Jesus, embodies perseverance and unwavering trust in the face of adversity. The second reading from Philippians delves into the theological significance of Jesus' humility. It explains how Jesus, though divine, emptied Himself to take on human form and obediently accepted death on the cross. This act of humility is met with exaltation, highlighting the transformative power of selfless love and obedience. The Gospel from Mark vividly narrates the crucifixion, fulfilling the prophecy and embodying the humility discussed in Philippians. It shows Jesus enduring betrayal, mockery, and death, yet remaining faithful, thus fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant. In our daily lives, these readings invite us to embrace humility and trust in God, even in difficult times. Just as Jesus trusted in His Father's plan, we too can find strength in trusting God's will. The moral lesson here is the value of selfless love and obedience. Let us strive to live out these teachings, embracing humility and trust, allowing Jesus' example to guide us in our own journeys of faith.