Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 26, 2024
First Reading: Isaiah 49.1-6
1Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.2And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;3And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.4Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.5And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Psalm 71
1In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.2Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.3Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.4Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.5For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.6By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.7I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.8Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.9Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.10For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,11Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.12O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.13Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.14But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.15My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.16I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.17O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.18Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.19Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!20Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.21Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.22I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.23My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.24My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
Gospel: John 13.21-33, 36-38
21When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.22Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.23Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.25He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?26Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.27And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.29For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.30He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.31Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.32If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.36Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.37Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.38Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on divine mission and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Isaiah introduces us to the Servant of the Lord, who, despite feelings of isolation and doubt, remains faithful to his calling. This servant is not just a figure of ancient Israel but a symbol of hope for all nations, as he is destined to be a light to the Gentiles. The Gospel from John presents Jesus at the Last Supper, foreseeing his betrayal by Judas and preparing his disciples for his departure. Jesus’ words to Peter, emphasizing faith and future following, underscore the themes of trust and divine timing.
Both readings are set in contexts of impending challenge and transformation. Isaiah’s servant emerges during a period of exile and despair, offering a message of redemption. Jesus, in John’s Gospel, is on the brink of his Passion, illustrating the depth of his obedience to the Father’s will. The connection between the two lies in their divine missions and the trust required to fulfill them. Isaiah’s servant and Jesus both embody the idea that true service to God involves perseverance through uncertainty and a belief in a larger, universal purpose.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace our own missions with faith. Like the servant and Jesus, we may face moments of doubt and challenge, but it is in these times that our trust in God’s plan is most crucial. Whether in personal struggles or community service, we are called to be lights in the world, trusting that our efforts, though sometimes unseen, contribute to a greater good. As we navigate life’s uncertainties, let us draw strength from the examples of Isaiah’s servant and Jesus, remembering that our faith and perseverance are essential to fulfilling our divine callings.