Sunday between 16 and 22 October
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
First Reading - Isaiah 53.4-6
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
We counted him as worthless,
as struck down
by God.
Yet truly
he bore our anguish,
and carried our pain.
He was wounded
for our transgressions,
and crushed
for our iniquities.
He bore the punishment
that makes us whole.
And by his wounds,
we are healed.
Like sheep, we have gone astray,
and turned,
each to our own way.
And the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
This is the word of the Lord.
Second Reading - Hebrews 5.1-6
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.
Each high priest of the temple
is chosen
from amongst the people
to represent them before God,
presenting their offerings
and their sacrifices for sin.
Having been chosen
from amongst the people,
the high priest of the temple
is able to deal gently
with the foolish,
and with those who are going astray,
for the high priest himself
is subject to human weakness,
and he offers sacrifices
for his own sins,
as well as those of the people.
He does not presume
to choose for himself
the honour
of serving as high priest,
but serves only
when called by God.
And in the same way,
Christ did not
take upon himself
the honour
of becoming our high priest,
but was appointed
by God, who says, ‘You are my Son,
I am your Father,
and I appoint you
high priest for ever.’
This is the word of the Lord.
Gospel - Mark 10.35-45
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to Mark.
The brothers James and John
approached Jesus
with a request.
Jesus said, ‘What is it
that you would like me
to do for you?’
And James and John said, ‘Let us sit,
one at your right hand,
and one at your left,
in your glory.’
Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know
what you are asking.
Are you able to drink
the cup that I drink,
and endure
the baptism
with which I am baptised?’
They replied, ‘Yes,
we are able.’
Jesus said to them, ‘You will indeed drink
the cup that I drink,
and endure
the baptism
with which I am baptised.
But to sit
at my right hand
or my left
is not mine to grant.’
When the other disciples
heard of this,
they were indignant
at James and John.
So Jesus
called them all
to him,
and said, ‘In this world,
the ones they call leaders
dominate their people,
and the ones they call great
are the ones
that have power
over them.
But it must not
be so
amongst you;
for the truly great
are those who serve;
and the greatest of all
is the one who is
the servant
of all.
For even the Son of Man
came
not to be served,
but to serve,
and to give up his life
for all.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.