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First Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

First Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4

1

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us ² and persevere in running the race that lies before us

2

while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.

3

Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.

4

In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Table of Contents Hebrews 12

Footnotes

¹ [1-13] Christian life is to be inspired not only by the Old Testament men and women of faith (Hebrews 12:1) but above all by Jesus. As the architect of Christian faith, he had himself to endure the cross before receiving the glory of his triumph (Hebrews 12:2). Reflection on his sufferings should give his followers courage to continue the struggle, if necessary even to the shedding of blood (Hebrews 12:3-4). Christians should regard their own sufferings as the affectionate correction of the Lord, who loves them as a father loves his children.

² [1] That clings to us: the meaning is uncertain, since the Greek word euperistatos, translated cling, occurs only here. The papyrus P46 and one minuscule read euperispastos, "easily distracting," which also makes good sense.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32

25

¹ For God has not spurned or disdained the misery of this poor wretch, Did not turn away from me, but heard me when I cried out.

26

I will offer praise in the great assembly; my vows I will fulfill before those who fear him.

27

² The poor will eat their fill; those who seek the LORD will offer praise. May your hearts enjoy life forever!"

29

For kingship belongs to the LORD, the ruler over the nations.

30

³ All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God; All who have gone down into the dust will kneel in homage.

31

And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you.

Table of Contents Psalms 22

Footnotes

¹ [25] Turn away: literally, "hides his face from me," an important metaphor for God withdrawing from someone, e.g., Micah 3:4; Isaiah 8:17; Psalm 27:9; 69:18; 88:15.

² [27] The poor: originally the poor, who were dependent on God; the term ('anawim) came to include the religious sense of "humble, pious, devout."

³ [30] Hebrew unclear. The translation assumes that all on earth (Psalm 22:27-28) and under the earth (Psalm 22:29) will worship God.

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

21

¹ When Jesus had crossed again (in the boat) to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.

22

One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet

23

and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her ² that she may get well and live."

24

He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

25

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.

26

She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.

27

She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak.

28

³ She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."

29

Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

30

Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?"

31

But his disciples said to him, "You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, 'Who touched me?'"

32

And he looked around to see who had done it.

33

The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.

34

He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."

35

⁴ While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"

36

Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; just have faith."

37

He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

38

When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.

39

⁵ So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep."

40

And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was.

41

⁶ He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"

42

The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. (At that) they were utterly astounded.

43

He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

Table of Contents Mark 5

Footnotes

¹ [21-43] The story of the raising to life of Jairus's daughter is divided into two parts: Mark 5:21-24; 5:35-43. Between these two separated parts the account of the cure of the hemorrhage victim (Mark 5:25-34) is interposed. This technique of intercalating or sandwiching one story within another occurs several times in Mark 3:19b-21; Mark 3:22-30 Mark 3:31-35; 6:6b-13; 6:14-29; 6:30; 11:12-14; 11:15-19; 11:20-25; 14:53; 14:54; 14:55-65; 14:66-73.

² [23] Lay your hands on her: this act for the purpose of healing is frequent in Mark 6:5; 7:32-35; 8:23-25; 16:18 and is also found in Matthew 9:18; Luke 4:40; 13:13; Acts 9:17; 28:8.

³ [28] Both in the case of Jairus and his daughter (Mark 5:23) and in the case of the hemorrhage victim, the inner conviction that physical contact (Mark 5:30) accompanied by faith in Jesus' saving power could effect a cure was rewarded.

⁴ [35] The faith of Jairus was put to a twofold test: (1) that his daughter might be cured and, now that she had died, (2) that she might be restored to life. His faith contrasts with the lack of faith of the crowd.

⁵ [39] Not dead but asleep: the New Testament often refers to death as sleep (Matthew 27:52; John 11:11; 1 Cor 15:6; 1 Thes 4:13-15); see the note on Matthew 9:24.

⁶ [41] Arise: the Greek verb egeirein is the verb generally used to express resurrection from death (Mark 6:14, 16; Matthew 11:5; Luke 7:14) and Jesus' own resurrection (Mark 16:6; Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:6).