Daily Readings - Sun Oct 28 2018

⁷For thus says the Lord: "Exult in the joy of Jacob, and neigh before the head of the Gentiles. Shout, and sing, and say: ‘O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel!⁸Behold, I will lead them from the land of the north, and I will gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, she who is with child, together with she who is giving birth: a great assembly returning to this place⁹They will approach with weeping. And I will lead them back with mercy. And I will lead them through the torrents of water, by an upright way, and they will not stumble in it. For I have become Father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Hebrews

Chapter 5

¹For every high priest, having been taken from among men, is appointed on behalf of men toward the things which pertain to God, so that he may offer gifts and sacrifices on behalf of sins²he is able to commiserate with those who are ignorant and who wander astray, because he himself is also encompassed by infirmity³And because of this, he also must make such offerings for sins even for himself, in the same manner as for the people⁴Neither does anyone take up this honor himself, but rather he who is called by God, just as Aaron was⁵Thus, even Christ did not glorify himself, so as to become High Priest, but instead, it was God who said to him: "You are my Son. Today I have begotten you.⁶And similarly, he says in another place: "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.

Mark

Chapter 10

⁴⁶And they went to Jericho. And as he was setting out from Jericho with his disciples and a very numerous multitude, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, a blind man, sat begging beside the way⁴⁷And when he had heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and to say, "Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me.⁴⁸And many admonished him to be quiet. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, take pity on me.⁴⁹And Jesus, standing still, instructed him to be called. And they called the blind man, saying to him: "Be at peace. Arise. He is calling you.⁵⁰And casting aside his garment, he leapt up and went to him⁵¹And in response, Jesus said to him, "What do you want, that I should do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Master, that I may see.⁵²Then Jesus said to him, "Go, your faith has made you whole." And immediately he saw, and he followed him on the way

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of faith. In the first reading from Jeremiah, we hear a message of consolation and restoration. The prophet speaks of a time when the people of Israel, scattered and suffering, will be gathered back to their homeland. This is not just a physical return but also a spiritual one, as God promises to lead them with mercy and compassion. The image of the blind and the lame returning with the assembly reminds us that no one is excluded from God’s saving plan. It is a powerful reminder of God’s fidelity and love for His people. The second reading from Hebrews deepens our understanding of Christ’s role as our High Priest. The author explains that every high priest is chosen by God to intercede for the people and to offer sacrifices for sins. Christ, however, is not just any high priest. He is uniquely qualified because He understands human weakness and suffering, having shared in our flesh. His priesthood is not one of mere ritual but of self-giving love, as He offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. This reading helps us see Jesus in a new light—as the one who not only saves us but also empathizes with us in our struggles. In the Gospel, Mark tells the story of Bartimaeus, a blind man who cries out to Jesus for healing. Despite the crowds trying to silence him, Bartimaeus persists, trusting in Jesus’ mercy. When Jesus calls him, Bartimaeus responds with faith, throwing aside his beggar’s cloak and approaching Jesus. His request is simple: “Master, I want to see.” Jesus responds by saying, “Your faith has made you whole.” This story reminds us that faith is not just belief in God’s existence but trust in His goodness and power to transform our lives. Bartimaeus’ persistence and humility show us how to approach God with confidence and openness. These readings together teach us about the nature of God’s love and our response to it. Jeremiah assures us that God is always working to restore and heal us, even in the midst of suffering. Hebrews reminds us that Jesus, our High Priest, understands our struggles and offers us His mercy. And Mark’s Gospel shows us that faith, even in the face of obstacles, can lead to profound transformation. Let us ask ourselves today: Where in our lives do we need healing? Where do we need to trust more deeply in God’s plan? May we, like Bartimaeus, cry out to Jesus with persistence and faith, knowing that He is always near to save us.