Daily Readings - Sun Oct 27 2024
Jeremiah
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
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
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
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of hope, mercy, and faith. The prophet Jeremiah speaks to a people in exile, promising that God will gather the remnants of Israel from the ends of the earth. This passage is a beautiful expression of God’s enduring love and mercy, offering hope to those who feel lost or scattered. The context is one of exile and longing, but Jeremiah’s words are infused with joy and restoration, reminding us that even in darkness, God’s plan for our salvation is at work.
The second reading from Hebrews deepens this theme by reflecting on the role of the high priest. Christ, our eternal High Priest, is uniquely qualified to intercede for us because he shares in our human weakness. This passage emphasizes that true priesthood is not about power or glory but about compassion and sacrifice. Just as Jeremiah spoke of God leading his people with mercy, Hebrews shows us that Christ’s priesthood is rooted in his ability to empathize with our struggles and offer himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
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, and his faith is rewarded when Jesus restores his sight. This story invites us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like Bartimaeus, we are all in need of healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. The readings today remind us that God is always near, ready to lead us through life’s challenges with mercy and compassion. Let us approach him with the same persistence and faith as Bartimaeus, trusting that our cries will not go unheard.