LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Responsorial psalm: Ps 29(30):2, 4-6, 11-13
Second reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43
Link to readings
Central to today’s readings is Christ the giver of life. We are encouraged to have faith in the Lord and in the life that the Lord brings – not just here on earth, but also in heaven.
The passage from the Book of Wisdom (First Reading) reminds us that God creates all things to have life, and to live that life well, resisting the temptations the evil one will bring. In the Second Reading, St Paul offers guidance on responding to the many kinds of gifts that come from living that life well. We are not asked to make things harder for ourselves, but to use whatever surplus we have to share those gifts with others.
The Psalm is a song of praise and thanks for the gift of life, and the healing promise of the Lord. With the psalmist, we can rejoice in the knowledge that the Lord comes to the help of those who call, regardless of our worthiness. Through the miracles Jesus works in the Gospel, we are reminded once more of the healing, comfort and new life that can be ours, if we but trust in the gift of faith.
This week, I may like to use my time in prayer with the Lord to ask for my own faith to continue to increase, so that I will have more than enough to offer those who are struggling with theirs.
SECOND READING
2 CORINTHIANS 8: 9, 13–15
Remember how generous the Lord Jesus was: he was rich, but he became poor for your sake, to make you rich out of his poverty. This does not mean that to give relief to others you ought to make things difficult for yourselves: it is a question of balancing what happens to be your surplus now against their present need, and one day they may have something to spare that will supply your own need. That is how we strike a balance: as scripture says: The one who gathered much had none too much, the one who gathered little did not go short.
REFLECTION
As I come to pray, I look around me. What is the weather like? Does it reflect my mood? Is my heart sunny, or rainy and grey? Without judging, I acknowledge how I feel and ask the Spirit to be with me, to pray for me if I can’t find the words. I take as long as I need to come to some inner quiet.
When ready, I slowly read Paul’s letter. Although written some 2000 years ago, it perhaps still resonates with me. Whenever a phrase triggers a query, a frown, a sigh or a cheer, I stop and spend some time with those words. Perhaps I ask myself why I react in this way? How does this connect with my life at the moment?
Or maybe the text brings me back to an earlier time, when life was different. Whatever the case, I tell the Lord, my constant companion, how I feel. Maybe I consider his generosity, the way he gave of himself. How have I benefitted from this? What have I been able to give in return?
St Paul urges the Corinthians – and us – to strike a balance in our giving help to those in need. Reflecting on this, I may want to spend time pondering the words of St Ignatius: In everyday life, I must hold myself in balance before all the Lord’s gifts, in so far as I have a choice and am not bound by any responsibility. For everything [good or bad] has the potential of calling forth in me an even deeper response to my life in God. (Spiritual Exercises § 23)
When the time comes to end my prayer, I thank the Lord for these moments spent together and for any insights he has given me today.
GOSPEL
MARK 5: 21–24, 35–43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him. Some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?’ But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith’. And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha, kum!’ which means, ‘Little girl, I tell you to get up’. The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
REFLECTION
Settling in the place where I have chosen to pray, I spend a moment becoming aware of God’s welcoming presence. As I read through the Gospel, I notice what draws me in. Maybe it’s the complete faith that Jairus has in Jesus?
Are there aspects of my life now where I could show my faith in the Lord more than I have done thus far? Or perhaps I’m conscious of my desire to express the depth of my faith, but there is something getting in my way. I share my innermost thoughts with the Lord, my loving friend.
Witnessing the wonder and joy of the little girl’s parents, I bring to mind those times in my own life when I truly knew the comfort and support of the Lord. In time, and trusting that God is always with me, especially through the hard times, I give thanks in my own words.
Courtesy of St Beuno’s Outreach in the Diocese of Wrexham, UK
Image: The Daughter of Jairus, James Tissot (1836-1902), Brooklyn Museum artwork.