Daily Readings - Sun Oct 28 2018
Jeremiah
7For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.8Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.9They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Hebrews
1For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:2Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.3And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.4And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.5So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.6As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Mark
46And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.48And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.49And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.50And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.51And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.52And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in 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.