Daily Readings - Sun Oct 17 2021

¹⁰But it was the will of the Lord to crush him with infirmity. If he lays down his life because of sin, he will see offspring with long lives, and the will of the Lord will be directed by his hand¹¹Because his soul has labored, he will see and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my just servant will himself justify many, and he himself will carry their iniquities

Hebrews

Chapter 4

¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great High Priest, who has pierced the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, we should hold to our confession¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to have compassion on our infirmities, but rather one who was tempted in all things, just as we are, yet without sin¹⁶Therefore, let us go forth with confidence toward the throne of grace, so that we may obtain mercy, and find grace, in a helpful time

Mark

Chapter 10

⁴²But Jesus, calling them, said to them: "You know that those who seem to be leaders among the Gentiles dominate them, and their leaders exercise authority over them⁴³But it is not to be this way among you. Instead, whoever would become greater shall be your minister⁴⁴and whoever will be first among you shall be the servant of all⁴⁵So, too, the Son of man has not come so that they would minister to him, but so that he would minister and would give his life as a redemption for many.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of service, sacrifice, and the humility of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear about the suffering servant who bears the sins of many and through his labors, justifies and satisfies the will of God. This passage is a profound prophecy of Christ, who would take on the weight of humanity’s sins and offer himself as a ransom for many. The context of this passage is rooted in the expectation of a Messiah who would restore Israel, but it also points to the universal salvation that Christ would bring. Isaiah emphasizes that true greatness is found in self-giving love and humility. The second reading from Hebrews builds on this theme by presenting Jesus as our great High Priest, who understands our weaknesses and temptations because he experienced them himself, though without sin. The author encourages us to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Jesus intercedes for us. This reading reminds us that Jesus’ priesthood is not one of distant authority but of compassionate solidarity. He is a leader who understands our struggles and offers us mercy and grace in our time of need. In the Gospel, Mark contrasts the worldly understanding of leadership, where power is exercised over others, with the Christian ideal of servant-leadership. Jesus teaches that true greatness in his kingdom is found in serving others. He himself is the ultimate example of this, for he came not to be served but to serve, even to the point of giving his life as a ransom for many. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our own attitudes toward power and authority. Are we seeking to dominate, or are we willing to humble ourselves and serve others? These readings call us to embrace a life of humility and service. In a world that often values power and status, Jesus shows us a different way. He invites us to follow him in pouring out our lives for the sake of others. Let us ask ourselves: How can I serve those around me today? How can I imitate Christ’s humility and self-giving love? May we approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Jesus understands our struggles and intercedes for us. And may we strive to live as servants, following the example of the one who gave his life for us all.