Daily Readings - Wed Apr 05 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.8He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.9Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
Matthew
14Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,15And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.16And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.17Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?18And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound themes of trust, betrayal, and divine providence. The first reading from Isaiah portrays a figure who, despite suffering and mockery, remains steadfast in his faith, trusting in the Lord’s guidance and deliverance. This figure, often seen as a prefiguration of Christ, exemplifies unwavering commitment to God’s will, even in the face of adversity. The Gospel reading from Matthew narrates the events of the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the Eucharist, symbolizing His body given for humanity. This sacred moment is overshadowed by Judas’s betrayal, highlighting the contrast between divine love and human frailty.
The context of Isaiah’s passage is rooted in the “Suffering Servant” songs, which foreshadow the redemption through suffering. Similarly, Matthew’s account sets the stage for Jesus’s Passion, illustrating His acceptance of His fate. Both readings underscore the theme of trust in God amidst suffering and betrayal, linking the prophet’s faith with Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own trials and how we face them. Like the prophet, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem bleak. The Eucharist, as instituted by Jesus, serves as a source of strength and unity, reminding us of God’s enduring love. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God’s providence and find solace in the Eucharist, especially when facing life’s challenges. Let us strive to emulate this trust, knowing that through our faith, we can overcome any adversity.