Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 27, 2020
First Reading: Wisdom 2.1a, 12-22
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Psalm 34
1I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.16The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Gospel: John 7.1-2, 10, 25-30
1After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.2Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.10But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.25Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?26But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?27Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.28Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.29But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.30Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the tension between faith and unbelief, as well as the mystery of God’s presence in the world. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we encounter a vivid depiction of the wicked plotting against the just man. The passage reveals the twisted logic of those who reject the righteous and question their relationship with God. They assume the just man’s claims about knowing God are false and decide to test him through suffering and death. This passage reflects the age-old struggle between those who walk in the light of faith and those who are blinded by malice and ignorance of God’s ways.
In the Gospel, we see a similar dynamic unfold as Jesus teaches in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles. The crowd is divided: some question whether he could truly be the Messiah, while others are astonished that the authorities have not yet apprehended him. Jesus cries out, affirming that he has been sent by the Father, but many fail to recognize the truth because they do not know God. This passage highlights the spiritual blindness that can prevent people from seeing God’s presence, even when it is right before their eyes.
These readings remind us that faith is not always easy, and it often requires us to trust in God even when we face doubt, rejection, or suffering. Like the just man in Wisdom, we may encounter those who question our beliefs or even persecute us for living according to God’s will. Like the crowd in the Gospel, we may struggle to recognize God’s presence in our lives or in the world around us. Yet, the readings encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith, to trust in God’s truth, and to live with integrity, even when it is difficult. Let us ask for the grace to see God more clearly and to walk in his light, no matter the challenges we may face.