Daily Readings - Fri Mar 23 2018
Jeremiah
7O LORD, you deceived me, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me.10I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side! Report him! Let's report him!" All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him."11But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.12O LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.13Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
John
31Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him,32but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"33"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."34Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'?35If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came--and the Scripture cannot be broken--36what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?37Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does.38But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."39Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.40Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here he stayed41and many people came to him. They said, "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true."42And in that place many believed in Jesus.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives of faith and perseverance. The first reading from Jeremiah portrays the prophet in a moment of deep anguish, lamenting the persecution he endures for his faith. Despite his suffering, Jeremiah's trust in God remains unwavering, as he affirms that the Lord is his strength. In contrast, the Gospel from John presents Jesus facing intense opposition, where the Jews seek to stone him for blasphemy. Jesus defends his divine identity, urging the people to believe in him through his works, which reflect the Father's presence within him.
The context of these readings reveals the challenges faced by those who serve God. Jeremiah, as a prophet, is no stranger to persecution, a common fate for those called by God. Similarly, Jesus's situation in John's Gospel highlights the growing tension between him and the Jewish authorities, who reject his divine claims. Both narratives underscore the theme of standing firm in faith despite adversity.
The connection between the readings lies in their emphasis on trust and faith. Jeremiah's unwavering trust in God serves as a testament to the power of faith amidst suffering. Jesus's words challenge us to recognize his divine identity and to believe, not just in him, but in the works that manifest God's presence. These themes invite us to reflect on our own faith journey, encouraging us to remain steadfast even when faced with challenges.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to trust in God's plan, especially during difficult times. Like Jeremiah, we may face trials, but our faith should remain our anchor. Jesus's message calls us to look beyond surface-level appearances and to seek the divine hand at work in our lives. By focusing on God's works and maintaining our faith, we can navigate life's storms with confidence and hope.
The moral lesson here is clear: faith and trust in God are our guiding lights. Just as Jeremiah and Jesus exemplify unwavering faith, we too can find strength in our relationship with God. Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, we are called to live out our faith with courage and perseverance, trusting that God's plan will prevail.