Daily Readings - Mon Mar 12 2018
Isaiah
17"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.18But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.19I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.20"Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.21They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
John
43After the two days he left for Galilee.44(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)45When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, for they also had been there.46Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.47When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.48"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."49The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."50Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed.51While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.52When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour."53Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed.54This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, faith, and trust in God's plan. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a future where sorrow and pain are erased, replaced by joy and eternal life. This vision is a beacon of hope for the Israelites, promising a utopian future after their trials. The Gospel from John tells the story of a royal official who, desperate for his son's healing, trusts in Jesus' word despite the distance and uncertainty. This miracle not only showcases Jesus' divine authority but also highlights the transformative power of faith.
Both readings beautifully intertwine, emphasizing the theme of trust in God's promises. Isaiah's vision calls us to trust in God's future plan, even when our current circumstances are challenging. Similarly, the royal official's story illustrates the immediate rewards of trusting Jesus' word, even when faced with doubt. These narratives remind us that faith is not about seeing immediate results but about believing in God's goodness and timing.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace hope and trust. When we face difficulties, we can find comfort in knowing that God is weaving a greater plan. Like the royal official, we are called to trust God's word, even when the outcome is uncertain. Let us hold onto this hope and faith, allowing them to guide us through life's challenges, knowing that God's promises are always for our good. The moral lesson here is clear: faith and trust in God's plan lead us to experience His grace and salvation.