Daily Readings - Sun Feb 16 2025
Jeremiah
5This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.6He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.7"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.8He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
1 Corinthians
12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Luke
17He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon,20Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.22Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.24"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.25Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.26Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of trust, faith, and the ultimate source of our hope and happiness. The prophet Jeremiah contrasts the one who trusts in human strength with the one who places their confidence in God. The first is like a barren tree in the desert, while the latter is like a tree planted by flowing water, fruitful and unafraid of drought. This image reminds us that our spiritual vitality depends on where we root our trust.
In the second reading, St. Paul emphasizes the centrality of the resurrection of Christ. He warns that if we deny the possibility of rising from the dead, we undermine the very foundation of our faith. Christ’s resurrection is not just a historical event but the promise of new life for all who believe. This truth should shape our hope and how we live, for we are not limited to this earthly life but are destined for eternal life with God.
In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims the Beatitudes, blessing those who are poor, hungry, and weeping, while issuing a warning to those who are comfortable and complacent. His words challenge us to reevaluate what we value. True happiness does not come from wealth or fleeting pleasures but from trusting in God’s plan and living according to His will. Let us ask ourselves today: Where do we place our trust? Do we seek comfort in the things of this world, or do we root our lives in the eternal promises of God? May we embrace the humility and hope of the Beatitudes, knowing that our true reward lies in heaven.