Daily Readings - Mon Mar 28 2022
Isaiah
17For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.18But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.19And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.20There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.21And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
John
43Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.44For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.45Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.46So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.47When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.49The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.50Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.51And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.52Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.53So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.54This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of hope, renewal, and the power of faith. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a beautiful vision of a new creation, where sorrow and suffering are replaced by joy and exultation. God promises a world where the former things will no longer be remembered, and His people will dwell in peace and happiness. This passage is part of Isaiah’s prophetic vision of restoration, spoken to a people who had endured exile and hardship. It reminds us that God’s plan is one of renewal and that His ultimate desire is to bring His people into a state of eternal joy.
In the Gospel, we see this hope taking shape in the life of a father who seeks Jesus’ help for his dying son. Despite initial doubts, the man places his trust in Jesus’ word, and his son is healed. This miracle, the second sign in John’s Gospel, underscores the importance of faith and trust in God’s word. Just as the official believed Jesus even before seeing the miracle, we are called to trust in God’s promises, even when we cannot see the outcome. Both readings remind us that faith is not about seeing signs but about trusting in God’s plan and His timing.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where do I place my trust? Am I willing to believe even when the road ahead is uncertain? The promise of a new creation and the healing of the official’s son invite us to live with hope and faith. May we, like the father in the Gospel, entrust our lives and our struggles to God, knowing that He is always at work, even when we cannot see it. Let us allow His word to guide us and His Spirit to renew us, that we might live as children of the promise, filled with joy and trust in His plan.