Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 29, 2021
First Reading: Isaiah 42.1-7
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.
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Gospel: John 12.1-11
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
The first reading from Isaiah introduces us to the figure of the servant of the Lord, a messianic figure who embodies humility, justice, and compassion. This servant is not one who will break the bruised reed or extinguish the smoldering wick; instead, he will bring light and hope to the nations. The passage emphasizes the servant’s gentle yet steadfast commitment to justice and his role as a covenant for the people and a light to the Gentiles. The context of this passage is one of hope and redemption, as Isaiah speaks to a people in exile, promising them that God will raise up a deliverer who will restore their fortunes and bring light to all nations.
The Gospel reading from John presents a vivid contrast between selfless love and worldly concerns. Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet with costly ointment is an act of profound devotion and preparation for his burial. While Judas criticizes her for what he sees as wastefulness, Jesus defends her, emphasizing that her actions are a beautiful expression of love and preparation for his impending death. The context here is the tension between those who follow Jesus and those who oppose him, including the Pharisees who now seek to kill Lazarus as well. The passage highlights the contrast between Mary’s humility and generosity and the greed and hardness of heart of those who oppose Jesus.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the values of humility, compassion, and selfless love. In Isaiah, we see the servant’s gentle yet unwavering commitment to justice and hope. In John, we see Mary’s extravagant love for Jesus, which stands in stark contrast to the calculating selfishness of Judas and the Pharisees. These readings call us to examine our own hearts and actions. Are we like Mary, willing to pour out our lives in love and service, or are we like Judas, focused on our own gain and comfort? The servant of the Lord in Isaiah reminds us that true strength lies in humility and compassion, not in power or control.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Where can we show greater humility and kindness? How can we, like Mary, offer our lives and resources as an act of love and devotion? Let us also remember that, like the servant in Isaiah, we are called to be a light to others, bringing hope and justice to a world in need. May we strive to live with the same selfless love and gentle strength that Jesus modeled for us, trusting that even in the darkest times, God’s plan of redemption is at work.