Daily Readings - Fri Apr 11 2025
Jeremiah
7O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.10For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.11But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.12But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.13Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
John
31Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?33The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;36Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?37If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.38But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.39Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,40And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.41And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.42And many believed on him there.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two figures, Jeremiah and Jesus, who face intense opposition for their faith and message. Jeremiah, a prophet called by God, expresses his anguish and betrayal as he is mocked and persecuted by those he trusted. Despite his suffering, he remains steadfast, trusting in God's strength and justice, knowing that his persecutors will ultimately fail. Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus is accused of blasphemy by the Jews who seek to stone Him. He defends His divinity by referencing Scripture and the miraculous works that attest to His union with the Father, urging His adversaries to believe in Him through these signs.
Both readings highlight the theme of persecution for righteousness' sake. Jeremiah and Jesus exemplify unwavering commitment to God's truth despite hostility. Their experiences remind us that standing up for our faith can lead to opposition, but it is in these moments that our trust in God is most crucial. Like Jeremiah, we must lean on God's strength, and like Jesus, we must allow our actions and faith to speak volumes about our commitment to Him.
In our daily lives, we may face challenges for our beliefs, whether in our personal or public spheres. Let us draw inspiration from Jeremiah's trust and Jesus' courage. May we remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God is with us, even in the face of adversity. Let our lives be a testament to God's presence, and may our actions reflect the love and truth of Christ, even when met with opposition.