Daily Readings - Tue Feb 05 2019
Hebrews
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith and perseverance in the face of life’s challenges. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded that we are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses,” the saints who have gone before us and endured their own struggles. The author encourages us to “run with perseverance the race that lies before us,” fixing our eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for the sake of our salvation. This passage calls us to trust in God’s plan, even when the journey is difficult, and to draw strength from the example of those who have remained faithful.
In the Gospel, Mark presents two powerful stories of faith and healing. Jairus, a synagogue ruler, pleads with Jesus to save his dying daughter, demonstrating his trust in Jesus’ power. Meanwhile, a woman suffering from a twelve-year hemorrhage touches Jesus’ garment in secret, believing that even this small act of faith will bring her healing. Jesus honors both of their faith: the woman is healed immediately, and Jairus’s daughter is raised from the dead despite initial doubts. These stories show us that faith, no matter how small or imperfect, can lead to extraordinary outcomes when we place our trust in God.
These readings remind us that life is full of challenges, but we are never alone in our struggles. Like the woman and Jairus, we are called to approach God with faith, even when circumstances seem hopeless. Jesus’ words to the woman, “Your faith has saved you,” and his assurance to Jairus, “Do not be afraid, only believe,” are words of encouragement for us today. Let us draw strength from the examples of those who have gone before us and place our trust in God, knowing that He can bring light and life even in our darkest moments.