Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 31, 2023
First Reading: Hebrews 12.1-4
1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Psalm 22
1My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?2O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.4Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.5They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.7All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,8He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.9But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.10I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.11Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.12Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.13They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.17I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.18They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.19But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.20Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.21Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.22I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.23Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.25My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.26The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.28For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.29All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.30A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.31They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
Gospel: Mark 5.21-43
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
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.