Daily Readings - Thu Mar 26 2020
Exodus
7And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:8They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.9And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:10Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.11And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?12Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.14And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
John
18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.32There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.33Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.34But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.37And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.38And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.41I receive not honour from men.42But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.43I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?45Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.46For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.47But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, trust, and the relationship between God and his people. In the first reading from Exodus, we see the Israelites at a pivotal moment in their journey. Having been led out of slavery in Egypt by God’s mighty hand, they quickly turn away from him, crafting a golden calf and worshiping it. This act of idolatry provokes God’s anger, but Moses intercedes, reminding God of his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Moses’ prayer is a powerful example of trust in God’s faithfulness, even when his people fail to live up to theirs. The reading shows us that God’s mercy and love are always greater than his wrath, as he relents from destroying the Israelites.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the nature of his testimony and the unbelief of those around him. He emphasizes that his works and the Father’s witness about him are true, even if people do not accept his words. Jesus critiques the people for their spiritual blindness—they study the Scriptures, thinking they hold eternal life, but they fail to recognize that the Scriptures point to him. This reading challenges us to examine our own relationship with God’s word and whether we are truly open to receiving the life Jesus offers. Like the Israelites in Exodus, we are called to trust in God’s promises and to seek the glory that comes from him alone.
Both readings remind us that faith is not about our own efforts or understanding but about trusting in God’s faithfulness. The Israelites’ idolatry and the people’s unbelief in Jesus’ time reveal how easily we can turn away from God. Yet, through Moses’ intercession and Jesus’ words, we see that God’s love and mercy are always available to those who seek him. In our daily lives, we are called to imitate Moses by praying for others and trusting in God’s promises, even when we see sin and unbelief around us. Let us ask for the grace to seek the glory that comes from God and to believe in his word, that we might have life in abundance.