Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 27, 2021
First Reading: Wisdom 1.13-15; 2.23-24
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Psalm 30
1I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.2O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.3O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.4Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.5For 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.6As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."7By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.8To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:9"What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?10Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!"11You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,12that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8.7, 9, 13-15
7But as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you--see that you excel in this act of grace also.9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.13I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness14your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.15As it is written, "Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack."
Gospel: Mark 5.21-24, 35-43
21And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea.22Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet23and 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."24And he went with him.And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.35While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?"36But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe."37And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James.38They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.39And when he had entered, he said to them, "Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping."40And 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.41Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Talitha cumi," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."42And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.43And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on life, death, and the transformative power of faith and generosity. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom reminds us that death was not part of God’s original creation but entered the world through sin. It reassures us that God’s plan is for life, and His justice is eternal. The second reading from 2 Corinthians invites us to embrace generosity and equality, inspired by Christ’s self-emptying love. Finally, the Gospel from Mark presents a dramatic miracle: Jairus’s daughter raised from the dead, a testament to Jesus’ power over death and His call to unwavering faith.
These readings are deeply interconnected. The Book of Wisdom sets the stage by highlighting the tragedy of death and the hope of eternal life. The 2 Corinthians passage bridges this hope with the call to live generously, mirroring Christ’s sacrifice. The Gospel then illustrates this hope and generosity in action through Jesus’ miracle, showing that faith can overcome even death. Together, they remind us that our ultimate hope is in God’s promise of eternal life, and we are called to live this hope by trusting in God and sharing His gifts with others.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to face challenges with faith, trusting that God is always at work. When we encounter suffering or loss, we are invited to turn to God, just as Jairus did, believing in His power to bring life out of death. Similarly, we are called to live with generosity, recognizing that all we have is a gift from God. Let us embrace these lessons, living with faith, hope, and generosity, knowing that God’s plan for us is life—abundant and eternal.