Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 2, 2021
First Reading: Job 19.1, 23-27
1But Job answered by saying23Who will grant to me that my words may be written down? Who will grant to me that they may be inscribed in a book24with an iron pen and a plate of lead, or else be carved in stone25For I know that my Redeemer lives, and on the last day I will rise out of the earth26And I will be enveloped again with my skin, and in my flesh I will see my God27It is he whom I myself will see, and he whom my eyes will behold, and no other. This, my hope, has taken rest in my bosom
Psalm 103
1To David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless his holy name, all that is within me2Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his recompenses3He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your infirmities4He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with mercy and compassion5He satisfies your desire with good things. Your youth will be renewed like that of the eagle6The Lord accomplishes mercies, and his judgment is for all who patiently endure injuries7He has made his ways known to Moses, his will to the sons of Israel8The Lord is compassionate and merciful, patient and full of mercy9He will not be angry forever, and he will not threaten for eternity10He has not dealt with us according to our sins, and he has not repaid us according to our iniquities11For according to the height of the heavens above the earth, so has he reinforced his mercy toward those who fear him12As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our iniquities from us13As a father is compassionate to his sons, so has the Lord been compassionate to those who fear him14For he knows our form. He has called to mind that we are dust15Man: his days are like hay. Like the flower of the field, so will he flourish16For the spirit in him will pass away, and it will not remain, and he will know his place no longer17But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, and even unto eternity, upon those who fear him. And his justice is with the sons of the sons18with those who serve his covenant and have been mindful of his commandments by doing them19The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven, and his kingdom will rule over all20Bless the Lord, all you his Angels: powerful in virtue, doing his word, in order to heed the voice of his discourse21Bless the Lord, all his hosts: his ministers who do his will22Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.20-23
20But now Christ has risen again from the dead, as the first-fruits of those who sleep21For certainly, death came through a man. And so, the resurrection of the dead came through a ma22And just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be brought to life23but each one in his proper order: Christ, as the first-fruits, and next, those who are of Christ, who have believed in his advent
Gospel: John 12.23-26
23But Jesus answered them by saying: "The hour arrives when the Son of man shall be glorified24Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies25it remains alone. But if it dies, it yields much fruit. Whoever loves his life, will lose it. And whoever hates his life in this world, preserves it unto eternal life26If anyone serves me, let him follow me. And where I am, there too my minister shall be. If anyone has served me, my Father will honor him
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on hope, resurrection, and the transformative power of faith. The Book of Job presents a man in the depths of suffering, yet unwavering in his belief in a Redeemer who will restore him. Job's words are a testament to the enduring human spirit, which, even in darkness, clings to the promise of eternal life. His hope is not in temporary comfort but in the ultimate victory over death, a hope that resonates deeply with the Christian belief in the resurrection.
The Second Reading from 1 Corinthians expands this vision, revealing that Christ's resurrection is the pivotal moment in human history. Through Adam, death entered the world, but through Christ, life is restored. Paul emphasizes that Christ's resurrection is not an isolated event but the first fruits of a greater harvest, where all believers will be united with Him. This passage invites us to see our lives within the broader narrative of salvation, where our struggles and sorrows are not ends in themselves but steps toward eternal life.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that true life comes through self-sacrifice. Using the image of the grain of wheat, He illustrates that only by dying to oneself can one bear fruit. This is not a call to self-destruction but to a life of love and service. Jesus' words challenge us to reevaluate our priorities, letting go of our attachment to worldly comforts and ambitions, and instead embracing a life of discipleship. As we follow Him, we discover that the path to true glory is through humility and service.
These readings remind us that our faith is rooted in the hope of resurrection. Like Job, we may face trials, but we can trust that our Redeemer lives. Like the early Christians, we are part of a larger story where Christ's victory over death is our own. And like the disciples, we are called to live lives of self-giving love. May we, in our daily lives, embody this hope, trusting that even in death, God brings forth new life.