Daily Readings - Thu Mar 14 2024
Exodus
7And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:8They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.9And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:10Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.11And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?12Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.14And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
John
18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.32There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.33Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.34But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.37And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.38And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.41I receive not honour from men.42But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.43I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?45Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.46For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.47But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, mercy, and the nature of God’s relationship with humanity. The first reading from Exodus recounts the story of the golden calf, a moment of profound infidelity by the Israelites. While Moses is on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the people grow impatient and turn to idolatry, crafting a molten calf and worshipping it as a god. This act of rebellion provokes God’s anger, yet Moses intercedes on behalf of his people, appealing to God’s mercy and faithfulness to the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Moses’ prayer reminds us of the importance of intercession and the enduring nature of God’s covenant.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the testimony that authenticates His divine mission. He explains that His works and the Father’s witness confirm His identity, yet many remain unbelieving. Jesus references Moses, noting that if the people do not believe Moses’ writings, they will struggle to believe in Him. This passage highlights the tension between faith and unbelief, as well as the fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus Christ. Just as the golden calf incident reveals humanity’s tendency to turn away from God, Jesus’ words expose the spiritual blindness that prevents people from recognizing Him as the true revelation of God.
These readings remind us that faith is a gift that requires openness to God’s presence and action in our lives. Like the Israelites, we often falter and turn to lesser idols—whether material possessions, status, or our own desires. Yet, God remains faithful, always ready to extend mercy and forgiveness. Jesus, as the ultimate mediator, invites us to trust in His words and works, which reveal the Father’s love. Let us examine our own lives, asking where we may have turned away from God and where we might need to deepen our faith. May we, like Moses, intercede for ourselves and others, and may we, like Jesus, seek to glorify not ourselves but the One who sent us.