Daily Readings - Tue Jan 30 2018

First Reading - 2 Samuel 18.9-10, 14b, 24-26a, 30 – 19.3

⁹And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.¹⁰And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.¹¹And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.¹²And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.¹³Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.¹⁴Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.¹⁵And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.¹⁶And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.¹⁷And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.¹⁸Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.¹⁹Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.²⁰And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.²¹Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.²²Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?²³But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.²⁴And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.²⁵And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.²⁶And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.²⁷And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.²⁸And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.²⁹And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.³⁰And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.³¹And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.³²And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.³³And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

Chapter 19

¹And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.²And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.³And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

Gospel - Mark 5.21-43

Mark

Chapter 5

²¹And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.²²And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,²³And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.²⁴And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.²⁵And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,²⁶And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,²⁷When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.²⁸For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.²⁹And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.³⁰And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?³¹And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?³²And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.³³But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.³⁴And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.³⁵While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?³⁶As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.³⁷And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.³⁸And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.³⁹And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.⁴⁰And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.⁴¹And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.⁴²And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.⁴³And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Sermon

The readings today present us with two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the human condition, faith, and the divine intervention that shapes our lives. In the first reading from 2 Samuel, we witness the tragic end of Absalom, the rebellious son of King David. Absalom’s death and David’s profound grief remind us of the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of sin and rebellion. David’s sorrow, despite Absalom’s betrayal, reveals the depth of a father’s love and the pain of loss. This story calls us to consider the ways we navigate conflict, forgiveness, and the enduring bonds of love, even in the face of great pain. In the Gospel, Mark presents two miracles that showcase Jesus’ power to heal and restore life. The woman with the hemorrhage, who had suffered for twelve years, finds courage to touch Jesus’ garment and is immediately healed. Her faith, though hidden, is recognized by Jesus, who affirms her healing and restores her dignity. Similarly, Jairus, the synagogue ruler, pleads with Jesus to save his dying daughter. Despite the initial news of her death, Jesus’ words, “Do not be afraid, just believe,” bring hope and lead to the miraculous resurrection of the girl. These stories highlight the importance of faith and trust in God’s providence, even in the face of uncertainty and despair. Both readings remind us that life is fragile and marked by suffering, but it is also filled with the possibility of healing and redemption. Like the woman who reached out in faith, we are invited to trust in God’s power to transform our lives. Like Jairus, we are called to hold onto hope, even when circumstances seem hopeless. And like David, we are reminded that love and forgiveness can endure even in the face of great sorrow. Let us turn to God with faith and openness, trusting that He can bring light out of darkness and life out of death.