Daily Readings - Sun Feb 13 2022
Jeremiah
5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.6For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
1 Corinthians
12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Luke
17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.24But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.25Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are presented with powerful messages that guide us in our faith journey. The prophet Jeremiah warns against trusting in human strength, urging us instead to place our confidence in God, who is the source of true life and stability. This is illustrated through the metaphor of a tree planted by water, thriving even in drought, symbolizing the believer who trusts in God. In contrast, those who rely on human efforts are like a barren tree in the desert.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians emphasizes the centrality of the resurrection. Paul asserts that without the resurrection, our faith is in vain. The resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of our hope, transforming our present sufferings into a pathway to eternal life. This hope is not just for the future but empowers us to live meaningfully now, trusting in God’s plan.
In the Gospel, Jesus presents the Beatitudes, challenging societal norms by blessing the poor, hungry, and mournful. He calls us to embrace humility and compassion, promising eternal rewards for those who follow His teachings. This inversion of values encourages us to live counter-culturally, trusting in God’s promise of ultimate fulfillment.
These readings interconnect by highlighting trust in God as the foundation of a transformed life. Jeremiah’s call to trust, Paul’s hope in resurrection, and Jesus’ Beatitudes all guide us to live with faith and hope. In our daily lives, we are invited to embody these teachings by choosing humility, caring for others, and enduring trials with the hope of eternal life. Let us embrace this call, trusting in God’s plan and living with the hope that only the resurrection brings.