July 5-11
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Most people have heard of Susan Boyle, the Scottish lady who appeared on "Britain's Got Talent". The judges and the crowd were quick to make fun of her - she didn't "look" like anyone who could possibly have talent. Yet when she sang the audience became silent -the judges looked shocked. How could someone who looked like she did sing so beautifully? Inspite of the negativity around her, Susan sang from her heart and her melody soared into the souls of many.
In our gospel for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Jesus faces the same kind of crowd as Susan did - disbelievers. Only these people thought they really knew him. How could he speak so well - after all he was just the son of a carpenter! Jesus spoke from his compassionate spirit and his words touched the hearts of many. However, those who would not believe in him lost the opportunity of a lifetime -to be in his very presence -to experience his healing touch.
Two examples of how we can judge others: pre-judging someone we don't know and misjudging someone we do know. What is the message for us?
~Do I give people a chance or pre-judge them according to their looks or their background?
~When has being close to someone blinded me to knowing who that person really is?
~Are there ways of thinking about Jesus that I need to change? Who is Jesus to me?
Sister Lynne Marie
June 28-July 4
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading
Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Death entered the world through the work of the devil.
Psalm
Psalm 30:2,4,5-6,11,12,13
A prayer of thanksgiving to God for having rescued us.
Second Reading
2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15
As Christ became poor for our sake, so must we share with those in need from our abundance.
Gospel
Mark 5:21-43 ( shorter form, Mark 5:21-24,35b-43)
Jesus heals a woman afflicted with a hemorrhage and raises Jairus' daughter from death.
Today's Gospel reports two stories of healing. One story tells us about a father's great love for his dying daughter. The other story tells us about a desperate woman who risks much as she seeks healing from Jesus. In each story, the request for healing is itself a courageous act of faith, and yet very different circumstances are represented by the lives of each suffering person.
The contrasts between Jairus and the woman with the hemorrhage are stark and revealing. One is a man, the other is a woman. One is a public official, an important person in the community. The other is a woman who has lost everything to find a cure to a condition that separated her from the community. One approaches Jesus publicly. The other approaches Jesus secretly. Yet in each case, faith leads them to seek out Jesus in their time of need.
The Gospel concludes with Jesus' instructions to remain silent about this miracle. This is typical of Mark's Gospel and is sometimes referred to as the messianic secret. Repeatedly, those who witness Jesus' power and authority are instructed to not speak of what they have witnessed. These instructions appear impossible to obey, and it is difficult to understand the purpose of these instructions. But in each case, they seem to emphasize the fact that each individual, including the reader of Mark's Gospel, must, in the end, make his or her own judgment about Jesus' identity. Each individual must make his or her own act of faith in affirming Jesus as God's Son.
So what lessons does this story teach for today? There are many: Healing is possible when you risk everything and challenge the status quo. To be a follower of Jesus means challenging an existing social order that oppresses the poor, the sick and the outcast. Jesus can heal those who, with faith and courage, question an unjust social order. The marginalized have priority in the eyes of Jesus, who he claims as his family. Jesus will attend to all who show faith. Jesus welcomes the poor, the outcast and also those of privilege. Jesus does not discriminate.
In your life what have you risked because of your faith in Jesus?
How do you feel challenged by today's readings?
"Prayer is not asking for what you think you want but asking to be changed in ways you can't imagine." Kathleen Norris
Sister Laura Zelten
|
