Daily Readings - Wed Apr 16 2025
Isaiah
4The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.5The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.7For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.8He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.9Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
Matthew
14Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,15And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.16And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.17Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?18And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on trust, betrayal, and the unwavering commitment to God’s will. In the first reading from Isaiah, the prophet speaks of his complete surrender to God, even in the face of suffering and rejection. Despite being struck and spat upon, he does not turn away, for he knows the Lord is his helper. This passage is part of the Servant Songs, which foreshadow the mission of Jesus Christ, the ultimate servant who would endure suffering for the salvation of the world.
In the Gospel, we see the stark contrast between Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ trust in the Father. Judas, one of the twelve chosen disciples, chooses to hand Jesus over for silver, while Jesus, knowing what is about to happen, institutes the Eucharist as a gift of his body and blood. This act of love and surrender stands in stark opposition to Judas’ act of betrayal. The readings remind us that faithfulness and trust in God’s plan are at the heart of the Christian life, even when the road ahead is uncertain or difficult.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where do we stand in moments of trial or temptation? Do we, like Isaiah, set our faces like flint, trusting in God’s providence, or do we, like Judas, allow our fears and desires to lead us astray? May we learn to embrace the crosses we bear with faith, knowing that God is always near to us. Let us also deepen our appreciation for the Eucharist, the gift of Jesus’ body and blood, which sustains us on our journey of discipleship. In doing so, may we grow in fidelity and trust, becoming servants of the Lord who endure all things for the sake of His kingdom.