Daily Readings - Fri Mar 26 2021
Jeremiah
7O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.10For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.11But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.12But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.13Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
John
31Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?33The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;36Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?37If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.38But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.39Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,40And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.41And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.42And many believed on him there.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful testimonies of faith amidst adversity. The first reading from Jeremiah portrays the prophet’s anguish and trust in God. Jeremiah feels deceived and persecuted by those he trusted, yet he clings to the conviction that God is his strength and will ultimately vindicate him. The Gospel from John shows Jesus facing similar hostility. Accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God, Jesus defends his identity by pointing to his works and the unity he shares with the Father. Both readings highlight the tension between suffering and trust in God’s plan.
The context of these readings reveals the common theme of persecution for one’s faith. Jeremiah, as a prophet, faced opposition for speaking God’s truth, while Jesus faced increasing hostility as he revealed more about his divine identity. Both situations remind us that standing up for what is right often comes with a cost. Jeremiah’s raw emotion and Jesus’ calm defense show us different yet valid responses to suffering. Their trust in God, however, remains unwavering.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we handle challenges in our own lives. Like Jeremiah and Jesus, we may face situations where we feel misunderstood or mistreated. The key is to trust that God is with us, even when the path is difficult. Jesus’ words remind us to look at the “works” in our lives—how we love and serve others—as a testament to our faith. Let us strive to remain faithful, knowing that God’s justice and love will ultimately prevail.