Daily Readings - Tue Feb 04 2025
Hebrews
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
Mark
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 lessons about faith, perseverance, and the transformative power of God. The first reading from Hebrews encourages us to run the race of life with patience and perseverance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for the sake of our salvation. The author reminds us that we have not yet shed blood in our struggle against sin, urging us to draw strength from the example of Christ, who sits at the right hand of God. This passage invites us to reflect on our own struggles and to trust in God’s plan, even when the journey seems difficult.
The Gospel from Mark presents two miracles that highlight the power of faith. Jairus, a synagogue ruler, pleads with Jesus to heal his dying daughter, while a woman suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years secretly touches Jesus’ garment, believing that even this small act will bring her healing. Both stories demonstrate the importance of trust in God’s providence. The woman’s persistence despite her suffering and Jairus’s faith despite the seeming hopelessness of his daughter’s condition show us that God works in ways we cannot always understand. Jesus’ response to both—the healing of the woman and the raising of Jairus’s daughter—reveals His compassion and power to restore life and hope.
These readings remind us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in God’s goodness even in the midst of uncertainty. Like the woman who touched Jesus’ garment, we are called to reach out to Him in our need, believing that He can heal and transform us. Like Jairus, we are invited to bring our deepest concerns to Jesus, trusting that He is always with us. In our daily lives, let us embrace the call to perseverance and faith, knowing that God is always at work, even when we cannot see the full picture. May we, like the witnesses in Hebrews, fix our eyes on Jesus and press on with hope and confidence.