Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 2, 2023
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 powerful reflections on hope, resurrection, and the transformative power of self-giving love. The first reading from Job captures the depths of his suffering, yet amidst his pain, Job clings to an unshakable hope in his Redeemer. He expresses his confidence that even in death, his Redeemer lives and that he will one day see God face to face. This passage reminds us that faith is not about escaping suffering but about trusting in God’s ultimate triumph over it.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our gaze to the resurrection of Christ, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. Paul emphasizes that just as death came through Adam, so too has the resurrection come through Christ. This passage underscores the universal scope of salvation—Christ’s resurrection is not just for the few but for all, and it is through Him that we are brought to life. The Gospel from John complements this by presenting Jesus’ own words about the necessity of self-sacrifice. Jesus uses the metaphor of the grain of wheat that must fall to the ground and die to bear fruit, teaching us that true life comes through letting go of our own selfish desires. He calls us to follow Him in this path of self-giving love, promising that where He is, His servants will also be.
These readings invite us to reflect on the paradox of Christian life: that death precedes resurrection, and that self-giving love is the path to true fulfillment. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace this mystery, trusting that even in moments of darkness or sacrifice, God is at work bringing new life. Let us ask ourselves: Where am I being called to “fall to the ground” and let go? How can I imitate Christ’s self-giving love in my relationships and decisions? May we, like Job, hold fast to the hope of eternal life, and may we, like Christ, find joy in serving others, knowing that our ultimate reward is to be with Him forever.