Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 30, 2024
First Reading: Wisdom 1.13-15; 2.23-24
13because God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the loss of the living14For he created all things that they might exist, and he made the nations of the world curable, and there is no medicine of extermination in them, nor a kingdom of hell upon the earth15For justice is perpetual and immortal
Psalm 30
1A Canticle Psalm. In dedication to the house of David. I will extol you, Lord, for you have sustained me, and you have not allowed my enemies to delight over me2O Lord my God, I have cried out to you, and you have healed me3Lord, you led my soul away from Hell. You have saved me from those who descend into the pit4Sing a psalm to the Lord, you his saints, and confess with remembrance of his holiness5For wrath is in his indignation, and life is in his will. Toward evening, weeping will linger, and toward morning, gladness6But I have said in my abundance: "I will never be disturbed.7O Lord, in your will, you made virtue preferable to beauty for me. You turned your face away from me, and I became disturbed8To you, Lord, I will cry out. And I will make supplication to my God9What use would there be in my blood, if I descend into corruption? Will dust confess to you or announce your truth10The Lord has heard, and he has been merciful to me. The Lord has become my helper11You have turned my mourning into gladness for me. You have cut off my sackcloth, and you have surrounded me with joy12So then, may my glory sing to you, and may I not regret it. O Lord, my God, I will confess to you for eternity
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8.7, 9, 13-15
7But, just as in all things you abound in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all solicitude, and even more so in your charity toward us, so also may you abound in this grace9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that through his poverty, you might become rich13And it is not that others should be relieved, while you are troubled, but that there should be an equality14In this present time, let your abundance supply their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be an equality, just as it was written15"He with more did not have too much; and he with less did not have too little.
Gospel: Mark 5.21-24, 35-43
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 him35While 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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the mystery of life, death, and the boundless love of God. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we are reminded that God did not create death, nor does he take pleasure in the destruction of his creation. Instead, he made all things to exist, and life is a gift meant to be cherished. Death entered the world through the envy of the devil, but even in the face of death, we are called to trust in God’s plan and his promise of eternal life. This passage encourages us to see life as sacred and to reject anything that seeks to destroy it.
The second reading from 2 Corinthians shifts our focus to the virtue of generosity. St. Paul reminds us that Jesus, though rich, became poor for our sake, so that through his poverty we might become rich. This is not just about material wealth but about the spiritual wealth that comes from living a life of love and sacrifice. Paul encourages us to share our abundance with those in need, so that there may be equality among all. This is a call to live simply, to trust in God’s providence, and to recognize that everything we have is a gift meant to be shared.
In the Gospel, Mark tells the story of Jairus, a synagogue ruler who begs Jesus to heal his dying daughter. Despite the doubts of those around him, Jairus trusts in Jesus, and his faith is rewarded when Jesus raises his daughter from the dead. This story reminds us that faith is not about understanding everything but about trusting in God’s power and love, even in the face of uncertainty and sorrow. Jesus’ words to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just have faith,” are words we can apply to our own lives when we face challenges and difficulties.
These readings together teach us to trust in God’s goodness, to cherish the gift of life, and to live with generosity and faith. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s plan, even when things seem impossible? Are we willing to share what we have with others, trusting that God will provide? May we, like Jairus, have the courage to place our faith in Jesus, knowing that he is the source of all life and love.