Daily Readings - Sun Mar 28 2021
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.
Mark
1And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.2And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.3And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.4And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.5But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.6Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.7And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.8And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.9But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?10For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.11But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.12And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?13And they cried out again, Crucify him.14Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.15And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.16And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.17And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,18And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!19And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.21And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.22And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.23And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.24And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.25And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.26And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.27And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.28And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.29And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,30Save thyself, and come down from the cross.31Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.32Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.33And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?35And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.36And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.37And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.38And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.39And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound themes of humility, trust, and selfless love. The first reading from Isaiah presents a prophet who, despite suffering, remains steadfast in his trust in God, enduring hardships without turning back. This passage, part of the Suffering Servant songs, sets the stage for the ultimate Servant, Jesus Christ. The second reading from Philippians beautifully captures the essence of Christ's humility. He, who was divine, emptied himself to take on human form, obeying God's will even unto death. This hymn highlights the depths of Christ's love and the exaltation that followed his humility.
The Gospel narrative from Mark vividly portrays Jesus's journey through betrayal, mockery, and crucifixion. Despite the injustice and pain, Jesus remains silent and endures, embodying the humility and trust spoken of in the earlier readings. His Passion is the fulfillment of the prophecies, showing how his self-giving love leads to redemption. These readings are intricately connected, with Isaiah foreshadowing Christ, Philippians explaining the theological significance of his actions, and the Gospel illustrating the culmination of his humility in his death.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to embrace humility and trust in God, especially during trials. Just as Jesus endured the cross, we can face our struggles with faith, knowing that true strength lies in humility. Let us strive to emulate Christ's selfless love in our relationships and challenges, trusting that our obedience and endurance will bring about a deeper connection with God. The moral lesson is clear: humility and trust in God, even in suffering, lead to redemption and exaltation, transforming our struggles into opportunities for growth and grace.