Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 2, 2022
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
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 two profound reflections on suffering, hope, and redemption. The first reading from Job presents a man in the depths of anguish, yet unwavering in his faith. Job, despite his immense suffering, declares his trust in a Redeemer who will one day vindicate him. His words are a testament to the enduring power of hope, even in the darkest of times. The Gospel from John shifts our focus to Jesus, who speaks of the necessity of self-sacrifice. Using the metaphor of the grain of wheat, Jesus teaches that true life comes through death to self, emphasizing that those who follow him must embrace this path of service and surrender.
These readings, though separated by centuries, are deeply connected. Job's hope for a Redeemer finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who through his own death and resurrection, reveals the ultimate act of self-giving love. Both readings invite us to reflect on the paradox of suffering and its role in our spiritual journey. Job's faith in the face of adversity and Jesus' call to self-denial remind us that our struggles, when embraced with trust in God, can lead to transformation and new life.
In our daily lives, these teachings challenge us to reevaluate our approach to suffering and self-interest. Like Job, we are called to hold fast to hope, even when our circumstances seem insurmountable. Like Jesus, we are invited to let go of our attachment to worldly comfort and instead embrace lives of service and love. The moral lesson here is clear: true freedom and fulfillment are found not in avoiding suffering, but in surrendering to God's will and trusting in his plan. Let us, therefore, approach each day with courage, ready to embrace the crosses we bear, knowing that through them, we may bear fruit that endures.