Daily Readings - Tue Mar 30 2021
Isaiah
1Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.2And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;3And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.4Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.5And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
John
21When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.22Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.23Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.25He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?26Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.27And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.29For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.30He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.31Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.32If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.36Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.37Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.38Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the mystery of God’s plan and the human response to it. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the voice of the servant of the Lord, who expresses both frustration and trust. Despite feeling that his efforts have been in vain, he clings to the assurance that his judgment and work are in God’s hands. This servant is not just an individual but a symbol of Israel’s mission to bring light to the nations. The passage reminds us that our struggles and doubts are not signs of failure but opportunities to deepen our trust in God’s providence.
In the Gospel, we witness the dramatic moment of Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. Jesus, aware of what is about to unfold, remains calm and steadfast, even as he shares a final meal with his disciples. This scene highlights the tension between love and betrayal, faith and failure. Peter’s bold declaration to lay down his life for Jesus contrasts sharply with his later denial, revealing the fragility of human resolve. Yet, even in the midst of betrayal and denial, Jesus speaks of glorification—his own and that of the Father. This paradox underscores the deeper truth that God’s glory is often revealed in the darkest moments.
These readings call us to embrace the mystery of faith in our own lives. Like the servant in Isaiah, we may feel that our efforts are unnoticed or ineffective, but we are reminded that our work is in God’s hands. Like Peter, we may stumble and fail, but God’s plan is not derailed by our weaknesses. The key is to trust in God’s timing and purposes, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Let us strive to remain faithful, knowing that our struggles and imperfections are part of the larger story of God’s redemption. In the end, it is not our strength but God’s grace that will bring light to the world.