Daily Readings - Sat Apr 05 2025

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 profound narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, discernment, and the challenges of faith. The first reading from Jeremiah presents the prophet as a figure of meekness and trust in God’s justice. Jeremiah, unaware of the plots against him, places his confidence in the Lord, who judges justly and knows the hearts of all. This passage reminds us that even in the face of adversity, we can rely on God’s wisdom and justice. Jeremiah’s trust is not passive; it is rooted in his deep relationship with God, who reveals truth and guides him through trials. The Gospel reading from John shifts our focus to the growing tension surrounding Jesus. After Jesus speaks to the crowd, some recognize him as the Prophet or even the Messiah, while others question his origins, citing Scripture. This division leads to a heated debate among the Pharisees and the guards, who are struck by the power of Jesus’ words. Nicodemus, a Pharisee who had secretly approached Jesus earlier, defends the need for fair judgment, but his colleagues dismiss him, revealing their own prejudices. This passage highlights the importance of discernment and open-hearted listening in our encounter with God’s truth. Both readings call us to trust in God’s plan and to approach life with discerning hearts. Like Jeremiah, we are invited to place our confidence in the Lord, even when we face uncertainty or opposition. Like the crowd in John’s Gospel, we are challenged to move beyond superficial judgments and to seek a deeper understanding of God’s truth. In our daily lives, this means trusting in God’s providence, even when circumstances seem unclear, and being open to the ways in which God speaks to us through others, even if their words challenge our assumptions. Let us strive to live with the humility of Jeremiah and the openness of Nicodemus, allowing God’s truth to guide us on our journey of faith.