Daily Readings - Mon Apr 01 2019
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 profound visions of hope and faith. The passage from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a new heavens and a new earth, where sorrow and pain are no more. This vision is not just a distant dream but a promise of restoration and joy, reminding us that God's plan is one of ultimate peace and happiness. In contrast, the Gospel of John presents a tangible miracle: Jesus healing the official's son. This act, the second sign in Galilee, underscores Jesus' authority and the power of faith. The official's trust in Jesus' word, without needing to see the miracle firsthand, exemplifies the kind of faith we are called to embrace.
These readings, though separated by time and context, are deeply connected. Isaiah's vision of a renewed world requires trust in God's promise, much like the official's trust in Jesus' assurance. Both narratives highlight the transformative power of belief. In Isaiah, the hope of a new creation invites us to trust in God's future promises. In John, the official's faith leads to immediate healing, illustrating that faith can lead to tangible, life-changing results. Together, they remind us that faith is not passive but active, leading us to trust God even when the outcome is uncertain.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace faith with confidence. Like the official, we may face situations where we must trust God's word without seeing immediate results. Yet, this trust is precisely what leads to transformation. As we navigate life's challenges, we are called to hold onto hope, knowing that God's promises are reliable. The moral lesson here is clear: faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, enabling us to live with hope and trust, even in uncertain times. Let us, therefore, cultivate this faith, trusting in God's plan and His promise of eternal life.