Do not be afraid; just have faith

REFLECTIONS TODAY

First Reading • 2 Sm 18:9-10, 
14b, 24-25a, 30—19:3

Absalom unexpectedly came up against David’s servants. He was mounted on a mule, and, as the mule passed under the branches of a large terebinth, his hair caught fast in the tree. He hung between heaven and earth while the mule he had been riding ran off. 

Someone saw this and reported to Joab that he had seen Absalom hanging from a terebinth. And taking three pikes in hand, he thrust for the heart of Absalom, still hanging from the tree alive.  

Gospel • Mark 5:21-43 

Two miracles involving women are intertwined: the healing of the woman with hemorrhage, and the raising to life of Jairus’ daughter. 

The two women have become “untouchables” by reason of death and flow of blood. But two gestures — of the woman “touching” the hem of Jesus’ garment, and of Jesus “taking the girl by hand” — give “new life” to both. 

Faith has saved both women: the woman afflicted with hemorrhage “reaches out” to Jesus in an act of total trust and surrender, while Jairus entrusts his daughter at the point of death to Jesus’ power.

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.