Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 20, 2024
First Reading: Isaiah 53.10-11
10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Psalm 33
1Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.2Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.3Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.4For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.5He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.7He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.8Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.13The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.14From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.15He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.17An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.18Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;19To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.20Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.21For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.22Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
Second Reading: Hebrews 4.14-16
14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Gospel: Mark 10.42-45
42But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful reflections on suffering, service, and the mercy of God. The first reading from Isaiah presents the figure of the suffering servant, who bears the sins of many and is rewarded for his faithfulness. This passage, written centuries before Christ, is a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus’ mission. The servant’s willingness to lay down his life for the sake of others highlights the depth of God’s love and the redemptive power of self-giving sacrifice. The second reading from Hebrews reminds us that Jesus, our High Priest, understands our weaknesses and temptations. Though sinless, he shares in our human experience, which gives us confidence to approach God’s throne of grace, where we find mercy and help in our time of need.
The Gospel from Mark underscores the radical nature of Jesus’ teaching on leadership. In a world where power and authority often lead to domination, Jesus flips the script: true greatness is found in serving others. He himself becomes the ultimate example of this, giving his life as a ransom for many. These readings are deeply interconnected, as they all point to the heart of God’s plan: salvation through self-giving love. Isaiah’s suffering servant, Hebrews’ compassionate High Priest, and Mark’s servant-leader all find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who reveals the Father’s mercy and calls us to live in a similar spirit of humility and service.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How can we imitate Christ’s example in our daily lives? In a world that often values power and status, we are called to embrace humility and service. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are invited to put others first and seek greatness in self-giving love. At the same time, let us not forget the immense mercy available to us through Christ, our High Priest. When we stumble or fall short, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that he understands our struggles and offers us grace in our time of need. May we, like the suffering servant, find joy in laying down our lives for others, trusting that God’s will is being fulfilled through our acts of love and service.