Daily Readings - Sun Oct 28 2018
Jeremiah
7For thus says the LORD: "Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, 'O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.'8Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here.9With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Hebrews
1For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.2He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.3Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.4And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.5So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you";6as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."
Mark
46And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"48And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"49And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you."50And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.51And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight."52And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of faith. In the first reading from Jeremiah, we hear a message of consolation and restoration. The prophet speaks of a time when the people of Israel, scattered and suffering, will be gathered back to their homeland. This is not just a physical return but also a spiritual one, as God promises to lead them with mercy and compassion. The image of the blind and the lame returning with the assembly reminds us that no one is excluded from God’s saving plan. It is a powerful reminder of God’s fidelity and love for His people.
The second reading from Hebrews deepens our understanding of Christ’s role as our High Priest. The author explains that every high priest is chosen by God to intercede for the people and to offer sacrifices for sins. Christ, however, is not just any high priest. He is uniquely qualified because He understands human weakness and suffering, having shared in our flesh. His priesthood is not one of mere ritual but of self-giving love, as He offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. This reading helps us see Jesus in a new light—as the one who not only saves us but also empathizes with us in our struggles.
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, trusting in Jesus’ mercy. When Jesus calls him, Bartimaeus responds with faith, throwing aside his beggar’s cloak and approaching Jesus. His request is simple: “Master, I want to see.” Jesus responds by saying, “Your faith has made you whole.” This story reminds us that faith is not just belief in God’s existence but trust in His goodness and power to transform our lives. Bartimaeus’ persistence and humility show us how to approach God with confidence and openness.
These readings together teach us about the nature of God’s love and our response to it. Jeremiah assures us that God is always working to restore and heal us, even in the midst of suffering. Hebrews reminds us that Jesus, our High Priest, understands our struggles and offers us His mercy. And Mark’s Gospel shows us that faith, even in the face of obstacles, can lead to profound transformation. Let us ask ourselves today: Where in our lives do we need healing? Where do we need to trust more deeply in God’s plan? May we, like Bartimaeus, cry out to Jesus with persistence and faith, knowing that He is always near to save us.