Year of Saint Joseph
Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"
In other years: Saint Cyril of Alexandria (370-444); Saint John Southworth (1592?-1654); Our Lady of Perpetual Succour; Blessed Nykyta Budka (1877-1949); Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky (1903-1973)
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 20 Reverence in Prayer
Mass: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Resp Ps 30; 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mk 5:21-43
O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
HEART OF JESUS, IN WHOM DWELLS THE FULLNESS OF DIVINITY,
HAVE MERCY ON US.
Another one of my favorite chapters in the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict is presented today, that is, Ch. 20 Reverence in Prayer. And as it turns out, Saint Benedict's wisdom is a fitting introduction to today's Gospel. Saint Benedict begins: "Whenever we want to ask some favor of a powerful man, we do it humbly and respectfully, for fear of presumption. How much more important, then, to our lay our petitions before the Lord God of all things with the utmost humility and sincere devotion. We must know that God regards our purity of heart and tears of compunction, not our many words" (RB 20:1-3).
We have examples in today's Gospel of faith-filled people who approach Jesus with humility and reverence. And they really don't say much at all. First there is Jairus, the synagogue official, whose daughter was at the point of death. Jairus sees Jesus, he falls at the Lord's feet and then pleads with Him earnestly, "Please, come lay your hands on her that she may be well and live" (Mk 5:23). Then the woman, suffering for twelve years with internal bleeding. She was not helped by doctors; she only grew worse. The woman hears about Jesus, comes up behind Him in the crowd and touches His cloak, knowing in her heart that if she touches the Lord, she will be healed (Mk 5:28). Realizing she had been healed, the courageous woman responds; she approaches Jesus with fear and trembling and tells Him the whole truth (Mk 5:33).
May we be people of faith, people humble, devout, reverent, honest and courageous and go to Jesus. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. I believe, help my unbelief. Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease (Mk 5:34).
GOD DID NOT MAKE DEATH, NOR DOES HE REJOICE IN THE DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVING.
(Wisdom 1:13)
The Lord waits for us to encounter Him, to open our hearts to Him, for us, like the woman, to touch His garment in order to heal. Because, by growing in intimacy with Jesus, we are healed in our affections.
(Pope Francis, Angelus Address, June 27, 2021)
Nobody knows himself who has not suffered.
(Alfred de Musset, 1810-1857)
MARY, MOTHER OF GOD,
SAINT JOSEPH,
SAINT CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA,
SAINT JOHN SOUTHWORTH,
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR,
BLESSED NYKYTA BUDKA,
BLESSED VASYL VELYCHKOVSKY,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: In Oregon, a lovely butterfly called a Lorquin Admiral.
© Gertrude Feick 2021
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