Daily Readings - Thu Apr 11 2019
Genesis
3Abram fell facedown, and God said to him,4"As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.5No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.6I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.7I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.8The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God."9Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.
John
51I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."52At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death.53Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"54Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.55Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word.56Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."57"You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"58"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"59At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound moments of divine revelation and covenant. The first reading from Genesis describes God’s establishment of a covenant with Abram, renaming him Abraham, promising him countless descendants, and granting him the land of Canaan. This moment marks a pivotal point in salvation history, as Abraham becomes the father of faith for nations. The Gospel from John presents Jesus in a heated dialogue with the Jews, where He asserts that keeping His word leads to eternal life and boldly claims to have existed before Abraham, culminating in a dramatic attempt on His life.
These readings, though separated by centuries, are deeply connected. Abraham’s covenant with God prefigures the ultimate covenant fulfilled in Christ. While Abraham trusted in God’s promises, Jesus reveals Himself as the fulfillment of those promises, emphasizing that His words are life-giving and eternal. The Jews’ skepticism and hostility toward Jesus mirror the challenges of faith faced by Abraham, who trusted in God’s plan despite uncertainty.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own faith and trust in God’s promises. Like Abraham, we are called to embrace God’s plan, even when it seems improbable. Jesus’ words remind us that true life comes from adhering to His teachings and recognizing His divine identity. As we navigate life’s uncertainties, let us draw strength from Abraham’s faith and Christ’s assurances, trusting that God’s promises endure. May we, like Abraham, rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s plan and live as children of the covenant, guided by Christ’s eternal word.