Daily Readings - Sat Apr 05 2025
Jeremiah
18And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings.19But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.20But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
John
40Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.41Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?42Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?43So there was a division among the people because of him.44And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.45Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?46The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.47Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?48Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?49But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.50Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)51Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.53And every man went unto his own house.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, discernment, and the challenges of faith. The first reading from Jeremiah presents the prophet as a figure of meekness and trust in God’s justice. Jeremiah, unaware of the plots against him, places his confidence in the Lord, who judges justly and knows the hearts of all. This passage reminds us that even in the face of adversity, we can rely on God’s wisdom and justice. Jeremiah’s trust is not passive; it is rooted in his deep relationship with God, who reveals truth and guides him through trials.
The Gospel reading from John shifts our focus to the growing tension surrounding Jesus. After Jesus speaks to the crowd, some recognize him as the Prophet or even the Messiah, while others question his origins, citing Scripture. This division leads to a heated debate among the Pharisees and the guards, who are struck by the power of Jesus’ words. Nicodemus, a Pharisee who had secretly approached Jesus earlier, defends the need for fair judgment, but his colleagues dismiss him, revealing their own prejudices. This passage highlights the importance of discernment and open-hearted listening in our encounter with God’s truth.
Both readings call us to trust in God’s plan and to approach life with discerning hearts. Like Jeremiah, we are invited to place our confidence in the Lord, even when we face uncertainty or opposition. Like the crowd in John’s Gospel, we are challenged to move beyond superficial judgments and to seek a deeper understanding of God’s truth. In our daily lives, this means trusting in God’s providence, even when circumstances seem unclear, and being open to the ways in which God speaks to us through others, even if their words challenge our assumptions. Let us strive to live with the humility of Jeremiah and the openness of Nicodemus, allowing God’s truth to guide us on our journey of faith.