30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 25, 2009

First Reading (Jeremiah 31: 7-9)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah.
The Lord say this: Shout with joy for Jacob; rejoice for the greatest of nations. Proclaim your praise and say: "The Lord has saved his people, the remnant of Israel!" Behold, I will bring him back from the land of the north, gather them from the ends of the earth, the lame and the blind, mothers and women in labor - a great throng will return. They went away weeping, they will return in joy. I will lead them by the streams of water, on a level path so that nobody will stumble, for I am Israel's father and Ephraim is my first-born.

Second Reading (Hebrews 5: 1-6)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
Every High Priest is taken from among mortals and appointed to be their representative before God to offer gifts and sacrifices of sin. He is able to understand the ignorant and erring for he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he is bound to offer sacrifices for his sins as well as for the sins of the people. Besides, one does not presume to take this dignity, but takes it only when called by God, as Aaron was. Nor did Christ become High Priest in taking upon himself this dignity, but it was given to him by the One who says: You are my son, I have begotten you today. And in another place: You are a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

Gospel (Mark 10: 46-52)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus and his disciples went to Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. When Bartimaeus realized that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many people scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but in spite of the people's comments, he cried louder, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and stated, "Call him." So Jesus' disciples called the blind man saying, "Take heart. Get up, for Jesus is calling you." He immediately threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and approached Jesus. Then Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus replied, "Master, I desire to see again!" And Jesus replied to him, "Go your way, for your faith has made you well." And immediately, Bartimaeus could see, and he followed Jesus along the road.