Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15;2:23-24
13 because God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living. 14 For he created all things that they might exist, and the generative forces of the world are wholesome, and there is no destructive poison in them; and the dominion of Hades is not on earth. 15 For righteousness is immortal.
23 for God created man for incorruption, and made him in the image of his own eternity, 24 but through the devil’s envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his party experience it.
2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15
7 Now as you excel in everything–in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us–see that you excel in this gracious work also.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
13 I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened,14 but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality.15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
Mark 5:21-43
21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, 23 and besought him, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.
25 And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years,
26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well.” 29 And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘ Who touched me?” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it.
33 But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly.
39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.”
40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi”; which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”42 And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
MEDITATION
THE FIRST READING denotes that God created man to multiply and be healthy without afflictions or destructive forces. Moreover man was created in God’s image to be immortal, however Satans jealousy of mans righteous standing brought corruption into the hearts of man who have become acolytes of Satan!
St PAUL’S EPISTLE highlight the disparity that exist in the communities whereby those who are spiritually and materially rich should endeavor to support those who suffer with poverty of the mind and soul. A little faith and hope in God’s trancedent power will go a long way to enrich those who suffer material and spiritual starvation.
St MARKS GOSPEL account describe the struggle of a parent whose daughter is at the point of death and a woman who suffered from irregular bleeding that impoverished her physically and materially. Jairus a ruler of the local synogogue was the teacher, spiritual and welfare leader of the community. It is apparent that on this occasion he was overwhelmed by the sickness of his daughter that propelled him to seek Christs intervention. Notice the disparaging sceptism and synical laughter of his community onlookers who is without hope!
Both these stories seek to inspire us to not allow our state of suffering and apparent hopelessness to overwhelm us to the extent that we become contemptuous and fall into disbelief. The woman touched our Lords garment, a holy consecrated vestment (Ex 28:2), a sign that holy objects, known as sacramentals such the bible, holy water,the rosary, scapulae, crucifixes that have been blessed by the priest are efficacious material objects that God can use to transmit His power to heal and restore! Being surrounded by noisy vacuous naysayers who seek to derail our faith in Christ Jesus is not recommended! We are also called to trouble our Lord and seek His trancendent power in adoration on our knees in front of the blessed sacrament. Those who disparage these God ordained gifts of healing don’t know what they do not know.
LET US PRAY: Psalms 30:2,4-6,11-12
2 O LORD my God, I cried to thee for help, and thou hast healed me. 4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. 6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”
11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
12 that my soul may praise thee and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to thee for ever.
Author. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days
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