“I will praise you, Lord, for you rescued me.”
Psalm 30: 2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
Readings
Book of Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 8: 7, 9, 13-15
Gospel according to Mark 5: 21-43
Reflection
by Sister Dorothy Jean Beyer, OSB
The Responsorial Psalm captures the message of the readings of today. “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.” God’s compassion sings out in each of the readings. Will we let God’s compassion sing out in our hearts and overflow to others?
The woman, who was afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years, suffered physically and financially and was cured by just touching the cloak of Jesus sings in gratitude for her healing and Jesus’ tender compassion. And the little girl who was raised by Jesus - and her family – they too were singing their gratitude and praise of God for the wondrous deeds of kindness and new life.
We all suffer in some way. Suffering is part of the human condition. We need Jesus and his healing. We all need Jesus to take us by the hand and say to us, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl (little boy), I say to you, arise.” Or as he said to the woman with hemorrhages, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” We too can sing out God’s compassion and tender mercy for all that He does for us. Yes, we can join with the psalmist and sing, “I will praise you, Lord, for you rescued me.” Let us sing our gratitude more often.
So what about our role today in bringing Jesus’ healing to others? I share this quote from St. Teresa of Avila:
“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
Let us bring healing to our world. We will change the world with our ardent compassion and with our amazing works of compassion for others.
From the Rule of St. Benedict
“Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love.” Rule of Benedict 4:25-26
Gospel Acclamation
“Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” Cf. 2 Timothy 1:10