Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 2, 2017
First Reading: Job 19.1, 23-27
1Then Job answered and said,23Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!24That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed 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 forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.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 now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Gospel: John 12.23-26
23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the profound themes of hope, resurrection, and self-sacrifice. The first reading from Job presents a man in the depths of suffering, yet his faith remains unshaken. Job declares his trust in a Redeemer who will one day raise him from the earth, a testament to his unwavering hope in God's promise. This passage reminds us that even in our darkest moments, faith can be a powerful source of strength and comfort.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians expands on this theme of resurrection. Paul explains that just as death came through Adam, so too has the resurrection of the dead come through Christ. Jesus is the first-fruits of this resurrection, and through Him, all believers will be brought to life. This passage underscores the universal significance of Christ's resurrection and its implications for all humanity. It invites us to see our own lives in the context of God's larger plan of salvation.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that true life comes through self-sacrifice. Using the metaphor of the grain of wheat, He explains that unless we die to ourselves, we cannot bear fruit. This is a call to live a life of service and love, following the example of Christ. The readings today remind us that our faith is rooted in the hope of eternal life, and that this hope transforms how we live in the present. May we embrace the call to die to ourselves, trusting that in doing so, we will find true life in Christ.