Daily Readings - Sun Apr 05 2020
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.
Philippians
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Matthew
11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.13Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.15Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.16And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.17Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?18For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.19When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.21The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.22Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.23And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.26Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.28And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.29And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!30And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.31And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.33And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,34They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.35And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.36And sitting down they watched him there;37And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.38Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.39And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,40And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.41Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,42He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.44The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?47Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.48And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.49The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.54Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on humility, obedience, and redemption. The first reading from Isaiah portrays a figure who, despite suffering, remains steadfast in trust and obedience to God. This figure, often seen as a prefiguration of Christ, embodies the spirit of endurance and faith in the face of adversity. The second reading from Philippians beautifully complements this with its hymn to Christ’s humility. It reminds us that Jesus, though divine, emptied Himself to take on human form and endure death on the Cross, an act of profound love and obedience. The Gospel, from Matthew, vividly recounts the Passion of Jesus, where He endures betrayal, mockery, and crucifixion. These readings together invite us to reflect on the transformative power of humility and selfless love.
The context of these readings is deeply rooted in the salvific mission of Christ. Isaiah’s prophecy sets the stage for understanding Jesus as the Suffering Servant, who bears the sins of many. Philippians provides a theological reflection on the significance of Christ’s humility and its ultimate glorification. The Passion narrative in Matthew is the dramatic fulfillment of these prophecies and hymns, showing how Jesus’s obedience unto death becomes the source of salvation. Together, these readings reveal how suffering, when united with love and obedience, leads to redemption and glory.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to embrace humility and trust in God’s plan, even in the face of suffering or uncertainty. Jesus’s willingness to endure the Cross for our sake challenges us to live with selfless love and to see our struggles as opportunities to grow closer to Him. Let us reflect on how we might imitate Christ’s humility in our own lives, whether in relationships, work, or prayer. May we, like Him, set our faces “like a hard rock” in resolve to follow God’s will, trusting that our trials can lead to transformation and grace.