Daily Readings - Sat Apr 06 2019
Jeremiah
18Because the LORD revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing.19I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, "Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more."20But, O LORD Almighty, you who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.
John
40On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet."41Others said, "He is the Christ."42Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"43Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.44Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.45Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?"46"No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.47"You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted.48"Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?49No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law--there is a curse on them."50Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked,51"Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?"52They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee."53Then each went to his own home.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, discernment, and the challenges of faith. The first reading from Jeremiah describes the prophet’s unwavering trust in God despite the plots against him. Jeremiah, though innocent and meek, is targeted by those who seek to destroy him, yet he places his hope in God’s justice and mercy. The Gospel from John presents a divided crowd debating Jesus’ identity. Some recognize him as the Prophet or the Messiah, while others question his origins, citing Scripture to argue that the Messiah must come from Bethlehem, not Galilee. This division leads to tension, and even the authorities are perplexed by Jesus’ words and the people’s reaction to him.
Both readings highlight the theme of trust and discernment in the face of uncertainty. Jeremiah’s trust in God is rooted in his deep faith, even when faced with betrayal and danger. In the Gospel, the crowd and the leaders struggle to see beyond their preconceptions about the Messiah’s origins, revealing a spiritual blindness that prevents them from fully embracing the truth. These stories remind us that faith often requires us to look beyond the surface and to trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem confusing or unjust.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine how we respond to challenges and uncertainties. Like Jeremiah, we are called to trust in God’s justice and providence, even when we feel misunderstood or persecuted. Like the crowd in the Gospel, we are invited to move beyond our biases and preconceptions, opening our hearts and minds to the truth. May we, like Nicodemus, who dared to question the assumptions of others, cultivate the courage to seek understanding and to follow God’s will, even when it goes against the opinions of the world. Let us pray for the grace to trust in God’s plan and to discern His voice in the midst of life’s challenges.