Homily Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B. - Sunday, 1 July 2018
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Psalm: Ps 29:2. 4-6. 11-13. “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.”
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7. 9. 13-15
Gospel Acclamation: 2 Timothy 1:10
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B. - Sunday, 1 July 2018 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/13b-faith-hope-and-love-ep-102 (EPISODE: 102 )
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Jesus is called to the house of Jairus and is told that his little girl has died…. but he shocks everyone by saying: “ she is not dead… but only sleeping.” Now, in fact, Jesus knew that she was actually dead, and so did everyone in the room, hence their shocked, unbelieving laughter…(or was the quick change from weeping to laughter by the crowd of extras, a sign that their grieving was more ceremonial than heartfelt?). But Jesus was making a very profound point here……. To God; -- to the Lord of Life.. death is a sleeping// awaiting until the time God will raise up our mortal bodies into the fullness of resurrected life……. // and the raising of this child in this Gospel is a foretaste of what Jesus promises to all ….. // Not merely a raising from the dead, back into this present life… but a resurrection in the Kingdom of Heaven……
So, when Christians use the words: “may your servant sleep here in peace until you awaken them to glory” referring to the committal of the human body to its sacred resting place…. it is not a euphemism for death…it is not some kindly softening of the reality and shock of the irrevocable and emotional wrench that comes with losing a loved one in this life… But it is a reminder that we have commended our loved ones.. (and we even entrust our own lives)…. to the tender and faithful care of Jesus; who is the Lord of all life, and who (in his own words) promises to raise us to eternal life... Jesus promises to awaken us to new life with the same certainty of command that Jesus awakened this child with the words… “..I tell you to get up.” (Faith is even stronger than death, Jesus shows us… We have faith in his victory over death) (from Gustavo Gutierrez: Sharing the word through the Liturgical year).
In this weekend’s gospel, both of the two people who approach Jesus are taking huge risks. But the situation they are in is worth it, as they both are quite desperate for assistance and they know they have nothing really to lose. They have obviously tried everything else and nothing else was working. They reach out to Jesus; trusting that he can help them.
Jairus is a synagogue official who is risking his position by approaching Jesus to solve a problem that his tradition would have pointed him in a very different direction.
The lady who touches Jesus’ cloak is taking an enormous risk. It is likely that her condition would have rendered her, in the eyes of the religious law of the day, ‘ritually unclean,’ and as such, she would not have been permitted to touch anyone. Here she believes that even touching Our Lord's cloak would be enough, and she was correct! The scene that ensues could have led to great troubles, but the lady speaks up in faith and trust.( This paragraph is adapted from “A Year of Sundays” Gospel reflections 2006. Little Rock Scripture Study, p47-48).
But this scene with the woman touching Jesus cloak is even more special….. the lady is marginalized…. she is poor… having spent everything she had to be healed…… she has no voice.. no place in society…. no right to speak up… no right to approach Jesus… so we see her quietly… without any rights, trying to make contact with Jesus without causing any kind of stir… but… Jesus immediately senses what has happened…… he turns to the lady to make it clear….. Jesus is not just like a lucky charm…. there must be a personal interaction with Our Lord…although the touching of the garment did what the lady hoped… Our Lord makes it clear that it is in relating to him that the truth belongs….. no true relationship with Our Lord can be there unless we encounter the person of Our Lord and not merely secondary aspects of him…… and further… Our Lord gives this anonymous woman an opportunity to step out of anonymity and be acknowledged… and related to as a human being…… She does deserve this dignity. Our Lord shows here that by speaking with her and affirming her faith and her actions.. this is truly amazing….. and wonderful… a second miracle…… (faith overcomes fear and gives you the dignity to stand with your head held high.. for all have dignity and a place in God’s eyes). (from Gustavo Gutierrez: Sharing the word through the Liturgical year).
In the wonderful first reading…. the words are worth repeating. It says
God did not make death,
nor does God rejoice in the destruction of the living.
For God fashioned all things that they might have being;
and the creatures of the world are wholesome,
………..For God formed (intended) humanity to be imperishable; (Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24).
If there were any doubt…this is a statement that Our Lord, God, is the source of life and the loving creator of life. God does not ‘send’ illness and death to people… We know all too well that these things are very much present in our world… But if we are to ask where is God in all this, God always stands on the side of life and dignity. God is constantly at work, willing life and vitality. Not sowing seeds of destruction and pain. At times of distress and confusion, we may be tempted to attribute something else to God.. when things go really wrong… but the truth is in the words of that first reading…
“….For God fashioned all things that they might have being;”
In the second reading, Saint Paul is being wonderfully wise. He will not tell the people of Corinth how to live, but he is happy to suggest a few ideas for the benefit of all. … Namely….He proposes that; as a concrete sign of their love…. Why not share their excess… Even-up the imbalance… Correct injustices of wealth and set things right, after the selfless example of Christ who made himself poor so that others may be rich. ….
Jesus did this his whole life.. and is seen, again, leading by example, in today's wonderful gospel.
Fr Paul
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Gutiérrez, G. and Dees, C. (1997). Sharing the Word through the liturgical year. 1st ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.
Upchurch, Cackie; Yeary, Clifford. A Year of Sundays: Gospel Reflections 2006 (Little Rock Scripture Study for Adults). Liturgical Press. 2005. pp47-48
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Texts used in this programme are for the purposes of worship and prayer for listeners wherever you are.
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Scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, by the national council of Churches of Christ, USA. , //adaptations to conform with Catholic liturgical norms, © 2009, by the same.
[{selected psalms } - *** “The Psalms: A New Translation” ©1963, The Grail (England), published by Collins.. **]
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“Faith, Hope and Love” theme Hymn: Words, based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, set to original music © 1996 by Paul W. Kelly.
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May God bless and keep you.
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B.
(Sunday, 1 July 2018)
(EPISODE: 102 )
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Lord, have mercy.// You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy. //You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy.//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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Sundays ordinary III
Euch Prayer Three
Communion side. pwk: LH
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Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
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