Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 21, 2018
First Reading: Isaiah 53.10-11
10Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.11Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
Psalm 33
1Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.2Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!3Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.4For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.5He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.6By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.7He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.8Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!9For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.10The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.11The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!13The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;14from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,15he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.16The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.17The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.18Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,19that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.20Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.21For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.22Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Second Reading: Hebrews 4.14-16
14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Gospel: Mark 10.35-45
35And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."36And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?"37And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."38Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"39And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized,40but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."41And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.42And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.43But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,44and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.45For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through profound lessons on service, humility, and redemption. The first reading from Isaiah presents a prophecy of the suffering servant, who bears the sins of many, highlighting Jesus' role in redemption. The second reading from Hebrews reinforces this by portraying Jesus as the compassionate High Priest, inviting us to approach God with confidence. The Gospel from Mark vividly illustrates Jesus teaching His disciples about true leadership, emphasizing service over power.
These readings interweave the themes of service and humility, showing Jesus as the ultimate servant who redeems through suffering. Isaiah's prophecy finds fulfillment in Jesus, who in Mark's Gospel, teaches that leadership is about serving others. Hebrews bridges this by reminding us of Jesus' compassion, encouraging us to approach God with trust.
In our daily lives, these teachings call us to embrace humility and service. We are invited to follow Jesus' example by prioritizing others' needs and trusting in God's plan. Let us reflect on how we can serve selflessly, just as Jesus did, and find strength in His compassionate heart.