REFLECTION FOT TODAY
The father of the just rejoiceth greatly, let Thy father and mother be joyful, and let her rejoice that bore Thee.
-- Proverbs xxiii. 24,25
READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30 -- 19:3
9 Suddenly Absalom met some of David's men. Absalom was riding a mule, and as it went under a large oak tree, Absalom's head got caught in the branches. The mule ran on and Absalom was left hanging in midair.
10 One of David's men saw him and reported to Joab, “Sir, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”
14 “I'm not going to waste any more time with you,” Joab said. He took three spears and plunged them into Absalom's chest while he was still alive, hanging in the oak tree.
24 David was sitting in the space between the inner and outer gates of the city. The lookout went up to the top of the wall and stood on the roof of the gateway; he looked out and saw a man running alone.
25 He called down and told the king, and the king said, “If he is alone, he is bringing good news.” The runner kept coming closer.
30 “Stand over there,” the king told him; and he went over and stood there.
31 Behold, the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, News for my lord the king; for Yahweh has avenged you this day of all those who rose up against you.
32 The king said to the Cushite, Is it well with the young man Absalom? The Cushite answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you to do you hurt, be as that young man is.
33 The king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would I had died for you, Absalom, my son, my son!
19:1-3
1 It was told Joab, Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.
2 The victory that day was turned into mourning to all the people; for the people heard say that day, The king grieves for his son.
3 The people got them by stealth that day into the city, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
Psalms: Psalm 86:1-6
(A Prayer for Help)
1 Listen to me, Lord, and answer me, for I am helpless and weak.
2 Save me from death, because I am loyal to you; save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you.
3 You are my God, so be merciful to me; I pray to you all day long.
4 Make your servant glad, O Lord, because my prayers go up to you.
5 You are good to us and forgiving, full of constant love for all who pray to you.
6 Listen, Lord, to my prayer; hear my cries for help.
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43
(Jairus' Daughter and the Woman Who Touched Jesus' Cloak)
21 When Jesus had crossed back over in the boat to the other side, a great multitude was gathered to him; and he was by the sea.
22 Behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing him, he fell at his feet,
23 and begged him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live.”
24 He went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they pressed upon him on all sides.
25 A certain woman, who had an issue of blood for twelve years,
26 and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse,
27 having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his clothes.
28 For she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well.”
29 Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
30 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd, and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 His disciples said to him, “You see the multitude pressing against you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’”
32 He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
35 While he was still speaking, they came from the synagogue ruler’s house saying, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?”
36 But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.”
37 He allowed no one to follow him, except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
38 He came to the synagogue ruler’s house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing.
39 When he had entered in, he said to them, “Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep.”
40 They ridiculed him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child and her mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying.
41 Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha cumi;” which means, being interpreted, “Girl, I tell you, get up.”
42 Immediately the girl rose up, and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement.
43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and commanded that something should be given to her to eat.
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