Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 20, 2021
First Reading: Jeremiah 11.18-20
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.
Psalm 7
1O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,2or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.3O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands-4if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe-5then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. Selah6Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.7Let the assembled peoples gather around you. Rule over them from on high;8let the LORD judge the peoples. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.9O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.10My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.11God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day.12If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.13He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.14He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.15He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made.16The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.17I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Gospel: John 7.40-53
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 profound moments of faith and discernment. The first reading from Jeremiah portrays the prophet's trust in God's justice amidst betrayal. Jeremiah, aware of the plots against him, turns to God, seeking vengeance but also demonstrating his faith in God's just judgment. This passage highlights Jeremiah's meek acceptance of his fate, relying on God's righteousness rather than his own strength.
In the Gospel, John 7:40-53, we witness the division among the people regarding Jesus. Some recognize Him as the Prophet or the Messiah, while others doubt, citing His Galilean origins. The Pharisees dismiss the crowd as ignorant and question the validity of a prophet from Galilee. Nicodemus, however, advocates for a fair hearing, challenging the hasty judgment of the Pharisees. This passage underscores the theme of discernment and the importance of seeking truth beyond appearances.
Both readings invite us to reflect on trust and discernment in our own lives. Like Jeremiah, we may face challenges where we must trust in God's justice rather than our own understanding. Similarly, when encountering doubts or uncertainties, we are called to seek God's will, as Jesus exemplifies, rather than relying on superficial judgments. Let us pray for the grace to trust in God's plan and to discern His truth in our lives, especially when faced with opposition or uncertainty.