Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 6, 2019
First Reading: Jeremiah 11.18-20
18And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings.19But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.20But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
Psalm 7
1O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:2Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.3O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;4If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)5Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.6Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.7So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.8The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.10My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.11God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.12If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.13He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.14Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.15He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.16His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.17I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
Gospel: John 7.40-53
40Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.41Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?42Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?43So there was a division among the people because of him.44And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.45Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?46The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.47Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?48Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?49But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.50Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)51Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.53And every man went unto his own house.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, discernment, and the challenges of faith. The first reading from Jeremiah describes the prophet’s unwavering trust in God despite the plots against him. Jeremiah, though innocent and meek, is targeted by those who seek to destroy him, yet he places his hope in God’s justice and mercy. The Gospel from John presents a divided crowd debating Jesus’ identity. Some recognize him as the Prophet or the Messiah, while others question his origins, citing Scripture to argue that the Messiah must come from Bethlehem, not Galilee. This division leads to tension, and even the authorities are perplexed by Jesus’ words and the people’s reaction to him.
Both readings highlight the theme of trust and discernment in the face of uncertainty. Jeremiah’s trust in God is rooted in his deep faith, even when faced with betrayal and danger. In the Gospel, the crowd and the leaders struggle to see beyond their preconceptions about the Messiah’s origins, revealing a spiritual blindness that prevents them from fully embracing the truth. These stories remind us that faith often requires us to look beyond the surface and to trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem confusing or unjust.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine how we respond to challenges and uncertainties. Like Jeremiah, we are called to trust in God’s justice and providence, even when we feel misunderstood or persecuted. Like the crowd in the Gospel, we are invited to move beyond our biases and preconceptions, opening our hearts and minds to the truth. May we, like Nicodemus, who dared to question the assumptions of others, cultivate the courage to seek understanding and to follow God’s will, even when it goes against the opinions of the world. Let us pray for the grace to trust in God’s plan and to discern His voice in the midst of life’s challenges.