Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 31, 2023
First Reading: Hebrews 12.1-4
1Therefore, 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,2looking 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.3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Psalm 22
1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?2O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.3Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.4In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.5To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.6But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.7All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;8"He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"9Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.10On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God.11Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.12Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me;13they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;15my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.16For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet--17I can count all my bones--they stare and gloat over me;18they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.19But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!20Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog!21Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!22I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:23You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!24For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.25From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.26The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!27All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.28For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.29All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.30Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;31they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.
Gospel: Mark 5.21-43
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.25And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years,26and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.27She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment.28For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I will be made well."29And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.30And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my garments?"31And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'"32And he looked around to see who had done it.33But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth.34And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."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 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.