Daily Readings - Sun Feb 16 2025
Jeremiah
5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.6For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
1 Corinthians
12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Luke
17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.24But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.25Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of trust, faith, and the ultimate source of our hope and happiness. The prophet Jeremiah contrasts the one who trusts in human strength with the one who places their confidence in God. The first is like a barren tree in the desert, while the latter is like a tree planted by flowing water, fruitful and unafraid of drought. This image reminds us that our spiritual vitality depends on where we root our trust.
In the second reading, St. Paul emphasizes the centrality of the resurrection of Christ. He warns that if we deny the possibility of rising from the dead, we undermine the very foundation of our faith. Christ’s resurrection is not just a historical event but the promise of new life for all who believe. This truth should shape our hope and how we live, for we are not limited to this earthly life but are destined for eternal life with God.
In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims the Beatitudes, blessing those who are poor, hungry, and weeping, while issuing a warning to those who are comfortable and complacent. His words challenge us to reevaluate what we value. True happiness does not come from wealth or fleeting pleasures but from trusting in God’s plan and living according to His will. Let us ask ourselves today: Where do we place our trust? Do we seek comfort in the things of this world, or do we root our lives in the eternal promises of God? May we embrace the humility and hope of the Beatitudes, knowing that our true reward lies in heaven.