This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, June 27th is from Mark 5:21-43.
“When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him . . . One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, ‘My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live’ . . . He took the child by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum,’ which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise!’ The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.”
“Jairus was told that his daughter died while he had followed the crowd to see Jesus. In fact, he heard the people at his home weeping and wailing. Still, he held out hope, believing in this man with the reputation for healing. Their faith gave them hope and their hope drove their faith.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Summer 2021
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Gen 18:16-33; Matt 8:18-22
Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial) – Born in Asia Minor, he studied in Rome and went to Lyons as a missionary priest and was eventually named bishop of Lyons. He was a disciple of St. Polycarp, who was himself a disciple of St. John the Evangelist. His most important contribution was his assertion that creation is not sinful by nature, but rather distorted by sin.
Tuesday Acts 12:1-11; 2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18; Matt 16:13-19
Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (Solemnity) – Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome and have been honored from the earliest days. Peter, whose name in Greek means “rock,” was originally called Simon. Jesus changed his name to Peter and told him that it was on this rock that he would build his Church. Paul, the “apostle of the Gentiles,” was born a Roman citizen and educated as a Pharisee. His experience of the risen Christ resulted in his conversion.
Wednesday Gen 21:5, 8-20a; Matt 8:28-34
Thursday Gen 22:1b-19; Matt 9:1-8
Friday Gen 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67; Matt 9:9-13
Saturday Eph 2:19-22; John 20:24-29
Saint Thomas, Apostle (Feast) – Since the early Church, there has been a tradition that Thomas is the ‘Apostle of India.’ Although the phrase ‘doubting Thomas’ refers to him, it overlooks both his loyalty in troubled times and his surrender when given the evidence he sought. Thomas is the patron saint of builders of India and Pakistan. SOURCE: Living With Christ, June 2021 and July 2021