Daily Readings - Mon Mar 23 2020
Isaiah
17For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.18But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.19And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.20There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.21And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
John
43Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.44For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.45Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.46So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.47When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.49The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.50Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.51And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.52Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.53So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.54This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on hope, trust, and the transformative power of God’s presence in our lives. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a beautiful vision of a new creation where sorrow and pain are no more. This passage, written during a time of great exile and suffering for God’s people, offers a message of hope. Isaiah reminds us that God is always creating anew, bringing joy and life even in the midst of despair. The prophet’s words encourage us to trust in God’s promise of a future filled with peace and happiness, where the struggles of this world will fade away.
In the Gospel, we encounter a royal official whose son is gravely ill. Desperate for healing, he turns to Jesus, even though he is far away in Cana. Jesus’ response seems puzzling at first: he tells the man to go home, assuring him that his son lives. Remarkably, the official takes Jesus at his word and begins his journey home. Along the way, he learns that his son was healed at the very moment Jesus spoke those words. This story highlights the importance of faith and trust. The official didn’t see the miracle with his own eyes, but he believed in Jesus’ power and promise. His trust was rewarded, and not only was his son healed, but his entire household came to believe in Jesus.
These readings remind us that faith is not always about seeing signs or having all the answers. Like the royal official, we are called to trust in God’s word, even when the circumstances seem uncertain. Isaiah’s vision of a new creation encourages us to hold onto hope, knowing that God is always working to bring life and joy out of suffering. In our daily lives, we can apply this by trusting in God’s plan, even when we don’t see immediate results. Let us pray for the grace to have faith like the royal official, to believe in God’s promises, and to live with hope in the new creation He is always bringing about.