Daily Readings - Sun Apr 02 2023
Isaiah
4The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.5The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.7For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
Philippians
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Matthew
11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.13Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.15Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.16And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.17Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?18For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.19When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.21The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.22Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.23And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.26Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.28And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.29And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!30And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.31And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.33And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,34They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.35And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.36And sitting down they watched him there;37And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.38Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.39And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,40And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.41Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,42He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.44The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?47Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.48And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.49The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.54Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound example of humility and trust in God, as seen in the life of Jesus. The first reading from Isaiah presents a figure who, despite suffering and persecution, remains steadfast in faith, trusting in God's deliverance. This figure is a prophecy of Jesus, the suffering servant, who embodies the same unwavering trust in the face of adversity. The second reading from Philippians beautifully captures the essence of Jesus' humility and obedience, as he empties himself to take on human form and submits to death on the cross. This act of self-emptying love is not just a display of humility but also a profound expression of trust in God's plan, which ultimately leads to his exaltation.
The Gospel from Matthew vividly portrays the culmination of this humility and trust in the narrative of Jesus' crucifixion. Despite the mockery, betrayal, and suffering, Jesus remains silent, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah. His silence is not one of defeat but of trust in God's plan. The people's choice of Barabbas over Jesus and the subsequent crucifixion reveal the depth of human sin, but they also highlight the depth of God's love. The crucifixion scene is a powerful reminder of the cost of sin and the price Jesus paid for our redemption. The tearing of the temple veil and the resurrection of the saints symbolize the new covenant and the victory of life over death.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to embrace humility and trust in our own lives. In a world that often values power and control, Jesus shows us that true strength lies in surrendering to God's will. Like Jesus, we are called to trust in God even when the path is uncertain or difficult. This trust is not passive but active, requiring us to stand firm in our faith despite trials and persecutions. The moral lesson here is clear: our lives should be shaped by selfless love and a willingness to lay down our own interests for the sake of others. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is not just an act of redemption but also a call to follow in his footsteps, living lives marked by humility, trust, and love.