Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 31, 2023
First Reading: Hebrews 12.1-4
1Furthermore, since we also have so great a cloud of witnesses over us, let us set aside every burden and sin which may surround us, and advance, through patience, to the struggle offered to us2Let us gaze upon Jesus, as the Author and the completion of our faith, who, having joy laid out before him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and who now sits at the right hand of the throne of God3So then, meditate upon him who endured such adversity from sinners against himself, so that you may not become weary, failing in your souls4For you have not yet resisted unto blood, while striving against sin
Psalm 22
1Unto the end. For the tasks of early morning. A Psalm of David. O God, my God, look upon me. Why have you forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my offenses2My God, I will cry out by day, and you will not heed, and by night, and it will not be foolishness for me3But you dwell in holiness, O Praise of Israel4In you, our fathers have hoped. They hoped, and you freed them5They cried out to you, and they were saved. In you, they hoped and were not confounded6But I am a worm and not a man: a disgrace among men, and an outcast of the people7All those who saw me have derided me. They have spoken with the lips and shook the head8He has hoped in the Lord, let him rescue him. Let him save him because he chooses him9For you are the one who has drawn me out of the womb, my hope from the breasts of my mother10I have been thrown upon you from the womb; from the womb of my mother, you are my God11Do not depart from me. For tribulation is near, since there is no one who may help me12Many calves have surrounded me; fat bulls have besieged me13They have opened their mouths over me, just like a lion seizing and roaring14And so, I have been poured out like water, and all my bones have been scattered. My heart has become like wax, melting in the midst of my chest15My strength has dried up like clay, and my tongue has adhered to my jaws. And you have pulled me down, into the dust of death16For many dogs have surrounded me. The council of the malicious has besieged me. They have pierced my hands and feet17They have numbered all my bones. And they have examined me and stared at me18They divided my garments among them, and over my vestment, they cast lots19But you, O Lord, do not take your help far from me; be attentive to my defense20O God, rescue my soul from the spear, and my only one from the hand of the dog21Save me from the mouth of the lion, and my humility from the horns of the single-horned beast22I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the Church, I will praise you23You who fear the Lord, praise him. All the offspring of Jacob, glorify him24May all the offspring of Israel fear him. For he has neither spurned nor despised the pleas of the poor. Neither has he turned his face away from me. And when I cried out to him, he heeded me25My praise is with you, within a great church. I will pay my vows in the sight of those who fear him26The poor will eat and be satisfied, and those who yearn for the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will live forever and ever27All the ends of the earth will remember, and they will be converted to the Lord. And all the families of the Gentiles will adore in his sight28For the kingdom belongs to the Lord, and he will have dominion over the Gentiles29All the fat of the earth have gnashed their teeth, and they have adored. In his sight, they will fall down, all those who descend to the ground30And my soul will live for him, and my offspring will serve him31There will be announced for the Lord a future generation, and the heavens will announce his justice to a people who will be born, whom the Lord has made
Gospel: Mark 5.21-43
21And when Jesus had crossed in the boat, over the strait again, a great crowd came together before him. And he was near the sea22And one of the rulers of the synagogue, named Jairus, approached. And seeing him, he fell prostrate at his feet23And he beseeched him greatly, saying: "For my daughter is near the end. Come and lay your hand on her, so that she may be healthy and may live.24And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him, and they pressed upon him25And there was a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years26And she had endured much from several physicians, and she had spent everything she owned with no benefit at all, but instead she became worse27Then, when she had heard of Jesus, she approached through the crowd behind him, and she touched his garment28For she said: "Because if I touch even his garment, I will be saved.29And immediately, the source of her bleeding was dried up, and she sensed in her body that she had been healed from the wound30And immediately Jesus, realizing within himself that power that had gone out from him, turning to the crowd, said, "Who touched my garments?31And his disciples said to him, "You see that the crowd presses around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ 32And he looked around to see the woman who had done this33Yet truly, the woman, in fear and trembling, knowing what had happened within her, went and fell prostrate before him, and she told him the whole truth34And he said to her: "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace, and be healed from your wound.35While he was still speaking, they arrived from the ruler of the synagogue, saying: "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?36But Jesus, having heard the word that was spoken, said to the ruler of the synagogue: "Do not be afraid. You need only believe.37And he would not permit anyone to follow him, except Peter, and James, and John the brother of James38And they went to the house of the ruler of the synagogue. And he saw a tumult, and weeping, and much wailing39And entering, he said to them: "Why are you disturbed and weeping? The girl is not dead, but is asleep.40And they derided him. Yet truly, having put them all out, he took the father and mother of the girl, and those who were with him, and he entered to where the girl was lying41And taking the girl by the hand, he said to her, "Talitha koumi," which means, "Little girl, (I say to you) arise42And immediately the young girl rose up and walked. Now she was twelve years old. And they were suddenly struck with a great astonishment43And he instructed them sternly, so that no one would know about it. And he told them to give her something to eat
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the essence of faith and perseverance. The first reading from Hebrews encourages us to endure life’s challenges with patience, inspired by the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before him. This passage reminds us that our struggles, though real, are not as severe as those faced by Jesus, urging us not to lose heart.
The Gospel from Mark vividly illustrates faith in action through two miracles. Jairus, a synagogue ruler, seeks Jesus to heal his dying daughter, demonstrating a father’s desperate yet hopeful faith. Meanwhile, a woman with a twelve-year bleeding condition embodies quiet, personal faith by touching Jesus’s cloak, trusting in God’s power. Both stories highlight different facets of faith—public and private, persistent and trusting. They show that faith, whether bold or subtle, can lead to healing and transformation.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God’s plan, even amidst trials. Like the woman and Jairus, we are called to approach God with faith, whether in quiet moments or public declarations. Let us remember that faith is not about the absence of fear but about trusting in God’s presence and power. As we navigate life’s challenges, may we find strength in perseverance and trust, knowing that our faith can bring healing and renewal.