Daily Readings - Wed Apr 17 2019
Isaiah
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.8He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.9Behold, 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.
Matthew
14Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,15And 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.16And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.17Now 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?18And 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.19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.24The 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.25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.26And 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 two powerful moments of faith and betrayal. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a servant who, despite suffering and humiliation, remains steadfast in his trust in God. The servant describes how he has been given the strength to endure insults and hardships, and he refuses to turn away from the path set before him. This passage is part of a series of “Suffering Servant” songs in Isaiah, which prophetically point to the Messiah who would endure suffering for the sake of others. The servant’s unwavering commitment to God’s will serves as a model of faith and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the events leading up to the Last Supper. Here, we see the stark contrast between Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ selfless love. Judas, driven by greed and his own desires, agrees to hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver. Meanwhile, Jesus gathers his disciples to share a final meal, instituting the Eucharist as a sign of his enduring love and presence among them. Even as Jesus reveals that one of his closest friends will betray him, he does not turn away from his mission. Instead, he gives himself fully to his disciples, offering his body and blood as a gift of life and redemption.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and with others. Like the servant in Isaiah, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or difficult. Like the disciples, we are called to receive the gift of Jesus’ presence in our lives and to live in gratitude for his sacrifice. At the same time, we are reminded of the reality of sin and betrayal—both in the world and in our own hearts. Let us ask ourselves: Where do we place our trust? How do we respond to suffering or betrayal? And how do we live out the love and self-giving that Jesus modeled for us? May we strive to follow Jesus’ example, offering ourselves in love and service to others, even as we acknowledge our own weaknesses and limitations.