Daily Readings - Fri Mar 31 2023
Jeremiah
7O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.10For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.11But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.12But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.13Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
John
31Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?33The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;36Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?37If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.38But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.39Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,40And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.41And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.42And many believed on him there.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful testimonies of faith amidst adversity. The first reading from Jeremiah describes the prophet’s anguish and trust in God as he faces persecution and mockery from those who oppose his message. Despite feeling overwhelmed and betrayed, Jeremiah affirms his confidence in God’s justice and deliverance, knowing that his persecutors will ultimately be confounded. The Gospel from John presents Jesus facing similar hostility from the Jews, who accuse Him of blasphemy for claiming a divine relationship with the Father. Jesus defends His identity by referencing Scripture and the works He performs, which manifest the Father’s presence within Him. He invites His hearers to believe, not just in His words, but in the divine reality they reveal.
Both readings highlight the recurring theme of standing firm in the face of opposition for the sake of truth. Jeremiah and Jesus remind us that living according to God’s will often leads to misunderstanding and resistance. Jeremiah’s lament shows us that even the most faithful servants of God can feel isolated and persecuted, yet their ultimate hope lies in God’s unwavering presence. Jesus, on the other hand, demonstrates how to respond to such opposition with clarity, compassion, and trust in the Father. His words challenge us to examine our own relationship with God and to recognize the divine presence at work in our lives.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they apply to our daily lives. We, too, may face challenges or criticism for living out our faith, whether in our personal relationships, workplaces, or communities. Like Jeremiah, we may feel the sting of betrayal or the weight of solitude. Like Jesus, we are called to remain steadfast, trusting that God is with us even when the world seems against us. The moral lesson here is clear: our identity and strength come from God, not from human approval. Let us strive to live with the courage and humility of these two figures, knowing that our ultimate vindication lies not in this world but in the eternal plan of God.