Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 2, 2024
First Reading: Job 19.1, 23-27
1Then Job answered and said:23"Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!24Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!25For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.26And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,27whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!
Psalm 103
1Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,5who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.7He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.14For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.15As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;16for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.17But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,18to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.20Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!21Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!22Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.20-23
20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
Gospel: John 12.23-26
23And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the 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.