Daily Readings - Sun Oct 24 2021
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
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of hope, compassion, and faith. The Prophet Jeremiah paints a vivid picture of God’s mercy, leading His people back from exile with a promise of healing and restoration. This message is not just historical; it resonates with the universal human experience of seeking redemption and return to a loving God. The Letter to the Hebrews deepens this understanding by presenting Christ as our High Priest, who, through His divine appointment, empathizes with our weaknesses and intercedes on our behalf. This portrayal emphasizes Christ’s unique role in bridging the gap between humanity and divinity. In the Gospel of Mark, we witness this theology in action through the story of Bartimaeus, a blind man whose persistent faith leads to his healing. His cry for mercy reflects our own need to reach out to God with trust and perseverance.
These readings intertwine beautifully, illustrating God’s consistent desire to heal and restore. Jeremiah’s vision of a merciful return finds fulfillment in Christ, who, as the ultimate High Priest, embodies compassion and understanding. Bartimaeus’s story in Mark exemplifies how this divine mercy is accessible to all who call out in faith. His healing is not just physical but also spiritual, mirroring the restoration God promises to His people.
In our daily lives, we often face our own forms of blindness—whether spiritual, emotional, or relational. The readings invite us to acknowledge these areas and to cry out to God with the same persistence as Bartimaeus. Christ, our High Priest, understands our struggles and invites us to approach Him with confidence. May we embrace the lesson that faith and perseverance lead to healing and restoration. Let us trust in God’s mercy and allow Christ to guide us through life’s challenges, just as He led Bartimaeus to see anew.