Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 2, 2024
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 themes of hope, resurrection, and self-sacrifice, woven together to guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Job presents a man in the depths of suffering, yet unwavering in his faith. Job's declaration of hope in a Redeemer who will one day rise from the earth resonates deeply, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God's promise of redemption endures.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our gaze to the triumph of Christ's resurrection. Paul highlights that just as death came through Adam, so too does new life come through Christ. This passage underscores the universal impact of Christ's victory over death, offering us all the promise of eternal life. It invites us to reflect on our place within this grand narrative of salvation.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the metaphor of the grain of wheat to illustrate the paradox of Christian life: true life comes through self-sacrifice. He calls us to follow Him, embracing the path of service and love. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities, encouraging us to let go of selfish desires and instead find fulfillment in serving others.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that our faith is rooted in the hope of resurrection. Like Job, we can trust in God's plan even when it's unclear. Like the grain of wheat, we are called to die to ourselves that we might bear fruit. Let us embrace this call to selfless love, trusting that our sacrifices will lead to eternal life. May we follow Christ's example, serving others and honoring God in all we do.