Daily Readings - Sun Oct 24 2021
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
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.