Daily Readings - Sun Oct 27 2024
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, mercy, and faith. The prophet Jeremiah speaks to a people in exile, promising that God will gather the remnants of Israel from the ends of the earth. This passage is a beautiful expression of God’s enduring love and mercy, offering hope to those who feel lost or scattered. The context is one of exile and longing, but Jeremiah’s words are infused with joy and restoration, reminding us that even in darkness, God’s plan for our salvation is at work.
The second reading from Hebrews deepens this theme by reflecting on the role of the high priest. Christ, our eternal High Priest, is uniquely qualified to intercede for us because he shares in our human weakness. This passage emphasizes that true priesthood is not about power or glory but about compassion and sacrifice. Just as Jeremiah spoke of God leading his people with mercy, Hebrews shows us that Christ’s priesthood is rooted in his ability to empathize with our struggles and offer himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
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, and his faith is rewarded when Jesus restores his sight. This story invites us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like Bartimaeus, we are all in need of healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. The readings today remind us that God is always near, ready to lead us through life’s challenges with mercy and compassion. Let us approach him with the same persistence and faith as Bartimaeus, trusting that our cries will not go unheard.