Daily Readings - Sun Jul 01 2018
2 Corinthians
7But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.14At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,15as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."
Mark
21When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.22Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet23and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live."24So Jesus went with him.25A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.26She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.27When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak,28because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed."29Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.30At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"31"You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?'"32But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.33Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.34He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."35While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"36Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."37He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.38When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.39He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep."40But they laughed at him.41After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" ).42Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.43He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on life, faith, and generosity. The first reading from Wisdom reminds us that God did not create death, but it entered the world through sin. This emphasizes God’s desire for immortal life, reflecting His image in us. The second reading from Corinthians highlights the importance of equality and generosity, inspired by Jesus’s sacrifice. The Gospel from Mark illustrates Jesus’s miracles: healing a woman with faith and raising a girl from the dead, showcasing His power and compassion.
These readings connect by illustrating God’s plan for life and the role of faith and community. Wisdom sets the stage by rejecting death as part of God’s plan, while Corinthians calls us to support each other, mirroring the community’s presence in Mark. Jesus’s miracles in Mark demonstrate trust in God’s power, even in death, aligning with Wisdom’s message of immortal life and Corinthians’ call to generosity.
Applying these teachings to our lives, we are reminded to trust God amidst hardships and embrace generosity. Like the woman and Jairus, our faith can lead to healing and renewal. Let us live with compassion, supporting one another, and trust in God’s plan, even when faced with death. The moral lesson is clear: faith and trust in God, coupled with generous hearts, guide us to live as He intended—embracing life and compassion.