Daily Readings - Sun Oct 24 2021
Jeremiah
7This is what the LORD says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, 'O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.'8See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.9They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.
Hebrews
1Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.3This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.4No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.5So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. "6And he says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
Mark
46Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"49Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you."50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.51"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."52"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
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.