Daily Readings - Mon Apr 06 2020
Isaiah
1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.2He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.3A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.4He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.5Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:6I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;7To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
John
1Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.9Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.10But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;11Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of service, justice, and self-giving love. The first reading from Isaiah introduces us to God’s chosen servant, a figure who embodies humility, compassion, and justice. This servant, filled with the Spirit, is gentle with the weak and brings light to those in darkness. The passage emphasizes God’s delight in this servant and his mission to establish justice and hope for all people.
In the Gospel, we see a beautiful act of love and devotion as Mary anoints Jesus with costly ointment. While Judas criticizes her generosity, Jesus defends her, explaining that this act is a preparation for his burial. This moment highlights the contrast between selfless love and worldly concerns. Mary’s gesture reflects a deep understanding of the mystery of Jesus’ mission and the sacrifice he would soon undertake.
Both readings call us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Like the servant in Isaiah, we are called to be instruments of justice and compassion, bringing light to those around us. Like Mary, we are invited to surrender our lives in love and trust, even when the path ahead is uncertain. May we, in our own way, anoint the feet of Jesus by serving others, trusting in God’s plan, and embracing the beauty of selfless love.