Daily Readings - Fri Mar 30 2018
First Reading - Isaiah 52.13 – 53.12
Isaiah
13Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.14As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:15So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.9And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Second Reading - Hebrews 4.14-16; 5.7-9
Hebrews
14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Gospel - John 18.1 – 19.42
John
1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.2And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.3Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.7Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.8Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:9That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.10Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?12Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,13And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.14Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.15And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.16But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.17Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.18And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.19The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.20Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.21Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?24Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.25And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.26One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?27Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.28Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.29Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?30They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.39But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?40Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
1Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.2And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,3And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.4Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.5Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!6When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.8When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;9And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.10Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?11Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.12And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.13When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.14And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!15But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.16Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.17And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:18Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.19And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.20This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.21Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.22Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.24They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.29Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.31The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.32Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.33But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:34But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.35And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.36For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.37And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.38And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.39And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.40Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.42There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on suffering, redemption, and the divine plan. The first reading from Isaiah introduces the figure of the suffering servant, who bears the sins of many and is exalted through humility. This prophecy points to Jesus, who embodies the servant’s role, taking on the burden of humanity’s sins. The second reading from Hebrews elevates Jesus as our High Priest, who, through his suffering, understands human frailty and offers salvation. The Gospel presents the Passion narrative, where Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion unfold, fulfilling the prophecies and showcasing his obedience to the Father.
These readings interweave to reveal the purpose of Jesus’ suffering. Isaiah’s prophecy finds its fulfillment in John’s narrative, while Hebrews bridges the theological understanding of Jesus’ role. Together, they illustrate that Jesus’ suffering was not random but a deliberate act of love, redeeming humanity. This connection emphasizes that suffering, when embraced with faith, can be transformative and redemptive.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we approach our struggles. Jesus’ example teaches us to find meaning in suffering, trusting in God’s plan. We are called to embrace humility and love, bearing burdens for others as Jesus did. The moral lesson is clear: our struggles, when united with Christ’s, can lead to spiritual growth and redemption. Let us strive to follow Jesus’ example, trusting in God’s plan and living with humility and love.