Daily Readings - Sun Oct 27 2024
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, 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.