Daily Readings - Thu Apr 10 2025
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of covenant, identity, and the eternal life offered by God. In the first reading from Genesis, we witness a pivotal moment in the story of Abram, whom God renames Abraham, establishing a covenant that promises him countless descendants and the land of Canaan. This covenant is not just a contractual agreement but a divine pledge of relationship, rooted in God’s faithfulness and love. Abraham’s response is one of trust and obedience, setting the stage for the people of Israel’s identity as a chosen people.
In the Gospel, Jesus engages in a profound debate with the Jews, asserting that keeping His word leads to eternal life and that He existed even before Abraham. This exchange highlights the tension between the old covenant and the new revelation Jesus brings. While the Jews question Jesus’ identity and authority, He affirms His divine origin and mission, emphasizing that true life comes from knowing and following Him. Jesus’ statement, “Before Abraham was, I AM,” underscores His eternal nature and His role as the fulfillment of God’s promises.
These readings challenge us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like Abraham, we are called to trust in God’s promises, even when they seem impossible. Like the Jews in the Gospel, we may struggle with doubts or questions about Jesus’ identity and mission. Yet, the heart of the message is clear: our true identity and purpose are found in living according to God’s word and trusting in His eternal plan. May we, like Abraham, rejoice in the day of the Lord and, like Jesus, keep God’s word in our hearts, knowing that eternal life is not something we will only experience after death but is a reality we can live into even now.