January 30, 2018

Jan. 30

January 30, 2018:  Tuesday, 4th week, Ordinary Time

See over a dozen connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

For 1st reading
For Psalm 86
    • Mighty Lord/ Foley [needs banjo]; use free Spotify login
For gospel
Today's gospel is “a day in the life of Jesus.”  The two healing stories are a model for shepherds, bishops, and priests.  Jesus, surrounded by a crowd, is caring for the people, in their midst; he didn't post a sign with hours and fees.  This is his example of being a shepherd.
The gospel describes Jesus as being pressed upon, but he doesn't retreat.  He shows the attitude of a true shepherd.  Priests and bishops are anointed with oil, but the true oil–interior oil–is the oil of closeness and tenderness.  The shepherd who doesn’t get close to people is lacking something.  A shepherd without tenderness will be rigid.  A shepherd like Jesus ends his day tired from doing good.  Lord, give our shepherds grace to walk with the people and be present for them with tenderness and closeness.
Read
    Wordle: Readings 2-4-14
  • 2 Sm 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30-19:3  Absalom came up against David’s servants.  His hair got caught in a tree, and someone thrust pikes in his heart as he hung.  When David heard he died, he wept:  “My son Absalom!  If only I had died instead of you...!”
  • Ps 86:1-6  "Listen, Lord, and answer me."  You are good, forgiving, and kind.
  • Mk 5:21-43  Synagogue official Jairus asked Jesus to lay hands on his daughter to heal her; they went off.  A woman with hemorrhages touched Jesus' cloak and was cured.  "Who touched my clothes?"  She told him everything.  "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."  To Jairus:  "Your daughter has died."  Jesus, hearing the wailing:  "She's asleep."  He took her by the hand:  "Arise!"  She rose; all were astounded....
Reflect
  • Creighton:  The 1st reading takes us into the conflict between David and his disloyal son.   Absalom fomented a rebellion against his father.  When one of David's soldiers killed Absalom, the entourage expected a celebration, not David's grief.  We marvel at how love can triumph over retribution, especially when we're on the receiving end, though sometimes we're the disloyal rebel.  David, who himself needs mercy, shows love and mercy.
First, Jesus healed the woman who touched his cloak, then used the unexpected outcome as a teaching moment.  When he came to the daughter of Jairus, she was already dead.  Those present ridiculed Jesus and his assessment, but Jesus surprised them by raising her.  But how did they respond?  God's unexpected works can transform more than the direct beneficiaries, but that depends on their openness to change.  How do we need to adjust our thinking to leave room for God's work among us?  How do we perceive the effects of God's works?  We may need more love, mercy, and patience....
  • One Bread, One Body:  "The culture of death":  Nathan revealed to David that David's adultery would result in many deaths. The child conceived from his adultery died.  His son Amnon raped his sister Tamar, whose brother Absalom murdered him and started a war against his father with heavy casualties.  When David heard of Absalom's death, he wept....
  • Passionist:  “The shot heard 'round the world” (Concord Hymn) refers to the shot that began the Revolutionary War.  In Sunday’s gospel we heard of Jesus' cure of a man with an unclean spirit, “the cure heard 'round the world.”  Yesterday we heard of the cure of another possessed man; today we hear of the cure of a sick woman and the raising of a girl thought dead.  Jesus keeps healing, expelling demons, and giving life.  The battle continues against today's demons.  “Only light can drive out darkness.  Only love can drive out hate” (M. L. King, Jr.).  To drive out demons from ourselves, others, and our world, we need the light of humility, from which follows forgiveness.  We also need unconditional hospitality, welcoming all.  We need self-sacrificing love that brings joy to others.  The gospel message “heard ‘round the world” is that God wins and evil loses.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "The woman who took heart in Jesus": Helpless people weren't disappointed when they sought Jesus out.  Jesus gave hope in apparently hopeless situations; he hoped in God, spoke words of hope, and ignited faith.  Jesus showed his concern for others and readiness to heal and restore life.
"Glory to you, Son of God; your healing power is proclaimed through the woman's suffering.  Through her they could see the divinity that can't be seen. Through his healing power his divinity became known.  Through her healing her faith was made manifest.  She caused him to be proclaimed and was honored with him.  For truth was proclaimed together with its heralds.  She was a witness to his divinity; he was a witness to her faith... He saw her hidden faith and gave her a visible healing" (Ephrem the Syrian)
Jesus gave hope to Jairus who had the courage to go to him openly, inviting scorn.  People had no hope, but Jesus took his daughter by the hand and delivered her from death.  Peter Chrysologus:  "The man was a ruler of the synagogue, versed in the law.  He'd surely read that God created man.  He trusted his daughter would be recreated and restored by that same hand...." (Peter Chrysologus)
Dress legend
  • 'Tree' pin:  Absalom's hair caught fast in the tree (1st reading)
  • 'Heart' pin:  Absalom's heart thrust with pikes (1st reading), Fathers' love for their children (1st reading, gospel)
  • 'Boundless mercy' pin:  "Have mercy on me..." (psalm)
  • 'Phone' tie bar:  "...for I call to you all day" (psalm)
  • 'Doctor's office' tie:  Healings of daughter of Jairus and woman with hemorrhage (gospel)
  • 'Boat' tie bar:  Jesus crossed in the boat (gospel)
  • 'Feet' pin:  Jairus fell at Jesus' feet (gospel)
  • 'Money bag' pin:  Hemorrhaging woman had spent all her money (gospel)
  • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  "Go in peace and be cured" (gospel)
  • 'Blood drop' pin:  Woman with hemorrhage (gospel)
  • 'Hands' pin:  Woman suffered at doctors' hands; "lay your hands on my daughter"; Jesus took her by the hand (gospel)
  • Clothes:  "If I just touch his clothes, I'll be cured"/"Who touched my clothes?" (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
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