Daily Readings - Sun Oct 27 2024
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, 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.