Daily Readings - Wed Mar 28 2018
First Reading - Isaiah 50.4-9a
Isaiah
The 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.The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.I 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.For 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.He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
Gospel - Matthew 26.14-26
Matthew
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound themes of suffering, betrayal, and redemption. The first reading from Isaiah portrays a figure who, despite facing adversity, remains steadfast in his mission, trusting in God's guidance and support. This figure, often seen as a prefiguration of Christ, embodies the willingness to endure hardship for a greater purpose. The second reading from Matthew recounts the events leading to Jesus's crucifixion, highlighting Judas's betrayal and the institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper. These narratives intertwine, illustrating the contrast between betrayal and selfless love.
The context of Isaiah's passage is rooted in the "Suffering Servant" songs, which symbolize a figure who bears the sins of others through voluntary suffering. This is mirrored in Matthew's account, where Jesus, aware of the impending betrayal, chooses to endure it for the salvation of humanity. Both readings emphasize trust in divine providence and the transformative power of suffering.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we face trials and betrayals. Like the Suffering Servant, we can trust in God's plan, even amidst challenges. The moral lesson here is one of selfless love and forgiveness. Just as Jesus forgave Judas, we are called to forgive others and seek forgiveness for our own shortcomings. Let us strive to emulate Christ's example, offering our struggles as acts of love and seeking to deepen our relationship with God through trust and humility.