Daily Readings for March 22, 2018

1ST READING

God makes three promises to Abraham — land, descendants, and that he would be a channel of grace and blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:1-3). Today’s reading elaborates on these promises. As we reflect on them, we learn that the promises are fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus. Through Him we receive the promise of salvation and heaven. We are descendants of the Father and are commissioned to take the Gospel to all the nations.

Genesis 17:3-9

3 When Abram prostrated himself, God spoke to him: 4 “My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations. 5 No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations. 6 I will render you exceedingly fertile; I will make nations of you; kings shall stem from you. 7 I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which you are now staying, the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession; and I will be your God.” 9 God also said to Abraham: “On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”

P S A L M

Psalm 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R: The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

4 Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. 5 Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered. (R) 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R) 8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations — 9 which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (R)

GOSPEL

Our belief in the resurrection changes our perspective on life. If we believe that life in this world is all we have, then the tendency is to get as much out of life as we can. There is little room for mercy and generosity. The resurrection is the crossover from this life to the next one — what we do here and now is linked to that which is to come.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

John 8:51-59

51 Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” 52 So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad. 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.