4th Week in Ordinary Time
31st January 2023 (Tuesday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4
Brethren: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Psalm 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32 (R. see 27b)
Response: They will praise you, Lord, who seek you.
Gospel : Mark 5:21-43
At that time: When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, 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." And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I will be made well." And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my garments?" And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?" And he looked round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." 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?" But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, "Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping." 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. Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Talitha cumi", which means, "Little girl, say to you, arise." And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Run the race!
Indicative: Our life is a race of faith that we need to keep running. We need to follow certain rules so as to do it to the best{alertSuccess}
1. To live a life of faith is like running a race. This has certain guidelines. First is, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader, and perfecter of faith. The Second is, to rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us. The third is, to get encouraged and motivated by a great cloud of witnesses. The fourth is, to persevere in running the race despite all the hurdles, without growing weary and losing heart. The fifth is, to be directed and ignited by the abiding joy that awaits us.
2. The gospel illustrates two live examples of true faith. One is Jairus, one of the synagogue officials and the other is a woman with a haemorrhage. Both are extreme cases. The 12 years old daughter of Jairus was at the point of death and then dead. The bleeding woman had been suffering for 12 years spending all she had on treatment but with no use
3. Two aspects become very clear in these two healings: on one hand the power of Jesus, and on the other hand, the faith of these two persons. The power of Jesus is so immense that he raises to life the dead girl with the mere touch of the hand. He cured the bleeding woman with the mere touch of his cloth.
4. Their faith is also remarkable. Even in such desperate situations, they did not give up their hope in Jesus’ power. That is why Jesus magnanimously ascribes great credit to their faith as the cause of healing. In all the senses of faith, we can attest that Saint John Bosco whom we commemorate today was a man of deep faith. He ran the race to the end with focus and endurance. He extended the touch of Jesus and rehabilitated many poor and delinquent youth in a race of virtue and vigour.
Imperative: Faith is essentially a matter of touch. Approach Jesus and touch him personally, like the bleeding woman. If not able to touch by ourselves like the dead girl, at least be open to receive his touch. In either case, touch brings healing and new life{alertSuccess}