Daily Readings - Sat Jul 22 2023
First Reading - Song of Solomon 3.1-4a or 2 Corinthians 5.14-17
Song of Solomon
1By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.2I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.3The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?4It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
2 Corinthians
14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
John
1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.11But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of seeking, finding, and the profound love that drives us to pursue what is most precious. In the first reading from the Song of Solomon, we hear the voice of the bride, who, with deep longing and determination, searches for her beloved throughout the city. Her persistence ultimately leads her to find him, and she clings to him, refusing to let him go. This poetic passage is often seen as an allegory for the soul’s quest for God, highlighting the intensity of love and the joy of union.
In the Gospel, we encounter Mary Magdalene, who also seeks the one she loves—Jesus. Her journey takes her to the tomb early in the morning, where she discovers that the stone has been rolled away. Overcome with grief and confusion, she encounters the risen Lord, though she does not immediately recognize him. Jesus reveals himself to her, calling her by name, and commissions her to share the news of his resurrection with the disciples. Mary’s story reminds us that our search for God is not in vain; even in moments of darkness and uncertainty, God reveals himself to those who seek him with an open and faithful heart.
Both readings remind us that the Christian life is one of seeking and finding. Like the bride in the Song of Solomon, we are called to pursue God with passion and perseverance. Like Mary Magdalene, we must be willing to look beyond our initial expectations and trust that God will reveal himself to us in ways we may not anticipate. As we go about our daily lives, let us remember that our ultimate fulfillment lies in our relationship with God. May we seek him with courage and faith, trusting that he will meet us in unexpected ways, and may we cling to him as Mary did, holding fast to the gift of his presence in our lives.