Daily Readings - Wed Mar 17 2021
Isaiah
8Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;9That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.10They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.11And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.12Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.13Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.14But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.15Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
John
16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.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.19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.30I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s profound love and care for His people, as well as the divine authority and mission of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the Lord’s promise of consolation and restoration to His people. Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a time when the scattered and suffering people of God will be gathered back, fed, and comforted. Zion, though feeling abandoned, is reminded that God’s love is far greater than any human love; even if a mother could forget her child, God will never forget His own. This passage speaks to the enduring faithfulness of God, who always remembers and cares for those who are His.
In the Gospel, Jesus defends His divine authority and mission. The Jews are angered because Jesus works on the Sabbath and claims a unique relationship with God the Father. Jesus explains that His works are not His own but are done in union with the Father. He emphasizes that the Father has entrusted Him with the power to give life and to judge. Jesus’ words challenge us to recognize His divine identity and to trust in His mission. He assures us that those who hear His word and believe in the Father will have eternal life, passing from death to life. This passage invites us to reflect on the profound truth of Jesus’ divinity and the eternal life He offers.
These readings remind us that our lives are rooted in God’s love and care. Just as Isaiah reassures Zion of God’s faithfulness, Jesus invites us to trust in His divine plan. In our daily lives, we are called to live with hope and confidence, knowing that God is always at work, even when we feel forgotten or uncertain. Let us strive to honor Jesus as the Son of God, to listen to His word, and to live in a way that reflects our faith. May we remember that our actions have eternal consequences and that we are called to live in a way that brings honor to God, who has given us life and salvation through His Son.