Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection February 04, 2025

04th February 2025 (Tuesday)

Psalter: Week 4

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4

Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Psalm 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32 (R. see 27b)

R/. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.

R/. Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him and a large crowd followed him. There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Tuesday – 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Main Point: Our life is a race of faith that we need to keep running. We need to follow certain rules so as to do it to the best

To live a life of faith is like running a race. This has certain guidelines. First is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader, and perfecter of faith. The Second is, to rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us. The third is, to get encouraged and motivated by a great cloud of witnesses. The fourth is, to persevere in running the race despite all the hurdles, without growing weary and losing heart. The fifth is, to be directed and ignited by the abiding joy that awaits us.

The gospel illustrates two live examples of true faith. One is Jairus, one of the synagogue officials and the other is a woman with a haemorrhage. Both are extreme cases. The 12 years old daughter of Jairus was at the point of death and then dead. The bleeding woman had been suffering for 12 years spending all she had on treatment but with no use.

Two aspects become very clear in these two healings: on one hand the power of Jesus, and on the other hand, the faith of these two persons. The power of Jesus is so immense that he raises to life the dead girl with the mere touch of the hand. He cured the bleeding woman with the mere touch of his cloth.

Their faith is also remarkable. Even in such desperate situations, they did not give up their hope in Jesus’ power. That is why Jesus magnanimously ascribes great credit to their faith as the cause of healing. In all the senses of faith, we can attest that Saint John de Britto whom we commemorate today was a man of deep faith. He ran the race to the end with focus and endurance. He extended the touch of Jesus to many and brought them to Jesus. He was martyred and is the patron saint of the diocese of Sivagangai, Tamilnadu, India.

My Practice: Faith is essentially a matter of touch. Approach Jesus and touch him personally, like the bleeding woman. If not able to touch by ourselves like the dead girl, at least be open to receive his touch. In either case, touch brings healing and new life