Daily Readings - Tue Apr 07 2020
Isaiah
1Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name.2He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.3He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor."4But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God."5And now the LORD says- he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength-6he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
John
21After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."22His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.23One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.24Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.28"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.29Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor.30As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.31When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.32If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.33"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.36Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."37Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."38Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the mystery of God’s plan and our role within it. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the voice of the servant of the Lord, who has been called and formed by God from the womb. Despite feelings of emptiness and discouragement, the servant comes to understand that his mission is not limited to Israel but extends to the Gentiles, making him a light to the nations. This passage reminds us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger divine plan, even when we cannot see the full picture.
In the Gospel, Jesus reveals that one of his closest disciples will betray him. This moment of sorrow and betrayal is set against the backdrop of Jesus’ impending glorification through his Passion and Resurrection. Peter’s bold declaration to lay down his life for Jesus is met with a gentle but clear correction: before Peter can follow Jesus in sacrifice, he must first follow him in faith, even in moments of weakness and denial. This exchange teaches us that our fidelity to God is not measured by grand gestures but by our willingness to trust and follow him day by day, even when the road is uncertain.
Together, these readings call us to embrace the mystery of God’s plan in our lives. Like the servant in Isaiah, we may face moments of doubt or discouragement, but we are reminded that our true value lies in God’s purpose for us. Like Peter, we may stumble, but we are invited to rise again, trusting in God’s grace and guidance. Let us ask for the courage to follow Jesus, even when the path is difficult, and to trust that our lives, like his, will find their ultimate glorification in God’s love.