Daily Readings - Sun Mar 07 2021
Exodus
1And God spake all these words, saying,2I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.3Thou shalt have no other gods before me.7Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.12Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.13Thou shalt not kill.14Thou shalt not commit adultery.15Thou shalt not steal.16Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.17Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
1 Corinthians
18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
John
13And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,14And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:15And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;16And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.17And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.18Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.20Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?21But he spake of the temple of his body.22When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through three significant texts that weave together themes of divine guidance, wisdom, and redemption. The first reading from Exodus presents the Ten Commandments, a cornerstone of moral guidance given to the Israelites, establishing a covenant with God. These commandments are not just rules but a blueprint for a life aligned with God's will, fostering a community of love, respect, and justice.
Paul's letter to the Corinthians shifts our focus to the nature of true wisdom. He contrasts human wisdom with God's, highlighting the crucified Christ as the epitome of divine wisdom. What seems foolish to the world—sacrificial love and humility—is, in fact, the power of God. This reminds us that our understanding is limited and that true wisdom comes from embracing the cross, where love triumphs over human folly.
In John's Gospel, Jesus cleanses the temple, asserting His divine authority. His actions and words point to His resurrection, the ultimate act of love and redemption. This narrative invites us to reflect on our own temples—our hearts and lives—urging us to purify them, making space for God's presence. Just as Jesus transformed the temple, we are called to be transformed by His love and wisdom.
In our daily lives, let us live by the Ten Commandments, not as constraints, but as guides toward a virtuous life. Let us embrace the wisdom of the cross, trusting in God's plan even when it seems perplexing. And let us allow Jesus to cleanse our hearts, making them temples of His love and light. Through this, we embody the wisdom and authority of Christ, living as His disciples in a world that often seeks fleeting wisdom. May we find strength in His resurrection, knowing that true transformation comes from His love and grace.