by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 7, 2026 | Evangelium
5th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINT JOSEPHINE BAKHITA
Psalter IV | GREEN
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 94: 6-7
O come, let us worship God and bow low before the God who made us, for he is the Lord our God.
Collect
Keep your family safe, O Lord, with unfailing care, that, relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, they may be defended always by your protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Isaiah 58:7-10
Thus says the Lord: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R/ The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
- Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.
- He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
- His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. Lavishly he gives to the poor; his justice shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory.
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
Gospel Acclamation: John 8:12
Alleluia, alleluia. I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, our God, who once established these created things to sustain us in our frailty, grant, we pray, that they may become for us now the Sacrament of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 106: 8-9
Let them thank the Lord for his mercy, his wonders for the children of men, for he satisfies the thirsty soul, and the hungry he fills with good things.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who have willed that we be partakers in the one Bread and the one Chalice, grant us, we pray, so to live that, made one in Christ, we may joyfully bear fruit for the salvation of the world. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world.” We believe in Jesus who died and rose again and made us children of God. This Jesus, whom we worship as our Lord and our God, wants us to transform the world in the manner of salt and light. Salt gives taste to food; we should give meaning to the lives of others through our acts of charity. Light dispels darkness and shows the way; we should point the right direction to others by defending justice. Charity and justice have to be hallmarks of our lives. We give the love of God to the world by providing for the needy to the best of our abilities. We become agents of justice by defending the oppressed and acting with honesty and fairness at all times. Jesus wants to transform the world, and he needs us to accomplish this. Let us be the voices, hands and feet that he uses to make the world a place in which love and justice prevail.
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 6, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT PIUS IX, POPE
Psalter IV | GREEN
“He was the longest‑reigning Pope in history. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000. His reign was marked by significant theological developments, including the declaration of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and the First Vatican Council, which defined papal infallibility. He also faced the loss of the Papal States to the Kingdom of Italy, leading him to declare himself a “prisoner in the Vatican”.”
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 Kings 3:4-13
Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, because that was the most renowned high place. Upon its altar Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings. In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered: “You have shown great favor to your servant, my father David, because he behaved faithfully toward you, with justice and an upright heart; and you have continued this great favor toward him, even today, seating a son of his on his throne. O Lord, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this—not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right— I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for, such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like.”
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.
- How shall a young man be faultless in his way? By keeping to your words.
- With all my heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commands.
- Within my heart I treasure your promise, that I may not sin against you.
- Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes.
- With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth.
- In the way of your decrees I rejoice, as much as in all riches.
Gospel Acclamation: John 10:27
Alleluia, alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Lord, teach me your statutes.” Solomon asked God to give him wisdom, so that he would be able to distinguish right from wrong and rule well. When Jesus saw the great crowd of people, he began to teach them many things. Just as we need to be taught Mathematics, Chemistry and Geography, we need to be taught the Word of God. It is this Word that enables us to distinguish good from evil; it is what will make us live a life without fault; it is what will empower us to rule our families, communities and countries with wisdom. Jesus wants to teach us the statutes of God. He teaches us through his written Word and through the Church. Let us pray for the grace to be good disciples who, like Solomon, listen to God’s Word and follow it. Let us allow Jesus to teach us by reading Holy Scripture daily and listening to the pastors he gives us: our priests, bishops, deacons, catechists, and every other person who teaches us. Let us pray that he may enlighten the leaders of the Church, so that they may be good teachers who guide us with sound doctrine.
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 5, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT PAUL MIKI AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS
Psalter IV | RED
“He was born in Japan between 1564 and 1566. He joined the Society of Jesus and preached the gospel to the Japanese people with great success. When a persecution of the Catholics arose he was arrested together with twenty-five others. Mocked and tortured, they were eventually taken to Nagasaki on 5 February 1597, bound to crosses and speared.”
Entrance Antiphon
The souls of the Saints are rejoicing in heaven, the Saints who followed the footsteps of Christ, and since for love of him they shed their blood, they now exult with Christ for ever.
Collect
O God, strength of all the Saints, who through the Cross were pleased to call the Martyrs Saint Paul Miki and companions to life, grant, we pray, that by their intercession we may hold with courage even until death to the faith that we profess. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Sirach 47:2-11
Like the choice fat of the sacred offerings, so was David in Israel. He made sport of lions as though they were kids, and of bears, like lambs of the flock. As a youth he slew the giant and wiped out the people’s disgrace, When his hand let fly the slingstone that crushed the pride of Goliath. Since he called upon the Most High God, who gave strength to his right arm To defeat the skilled warrior and raise up the might of his people, Therefore the women sang his praises, and ascribed to him tens of thousands and praised him when they blessed the Lord. When he assumed the royal crown, he battled and subdued the enemy on every side. He destroyed the hostile Philistines and shattered their power till our own day. With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung; He set singers before the altar and by their voices he made sweet melodies, He added beauty to the feasts and solemnized the seasons of each year So that when the Holy Name was praised, before daybreak the sanctuary would resound. The Lord forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever; He conferred on him the rights of royalty and established his throne in Israel.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 18:31, 47 and 50, 51
R/ Blessed be God my salvation!
- God’s way is unerring, the promise of the Lord is fire-tried; he is a shield to all who take refuge in him.
- The Lord live! And blessed be my Rock! Extolled be God my savior. Therefore will I proclaim you, O Lord, among the nations, and I will sing praise to your name.
- You who gave great victories to your king and showed kindness to your anointed, to David and his posterity forever.
Gospel Acclamation: Luke 8:15
Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; That is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, holy Father, the offerings we bring in commemoration of the holy Martyrs, and grant that we, your servants, may be found steadfast in confessing your name. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Lk 22: 28-30
It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, says the Lord, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who in your holy Martyrs have wonderfully made known the mystery of the Cross, graciously grant that, drawing strength from this sacrifice, we may cling faithfully to Christ and labour in the Church for the salvation of all. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” David is hailed by Sirach as a great king of Israel because he loved God with his whole being and ruled according to the precepts of God. We honour John the Baptist as a saint because he spoke the truth even at the risk of his life. He stood up to Herod and condemned his wrongdoing, although he knew it was a dangerous thing to do. Being a Christian is a risky enterprise. The Christian has to speak the truth, condemn the ills of society and defend justice, and this will inevitably create enemies for him. He will step on the toes of people when he refuses to be corrupt or to tell lies, and when he points out their misdeeds. For this reason, he will be hated, mocked and despised. Obstacles will be placed on his path and he will be made to suffer. John the Baptist paid for his honesty with his life; St. Paul Miki and his companions, whom we remember today, were killed because they believed in Jesus; are you prepared to pay the price of being a Christian?
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 4, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT AGATHA OF CATANIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR
Psalter IV | RED
“She was martyred at Catania in Sicily, probably during the persecution of Decius (250–253). Devotion to her was widespread in the Church in the earliest times and she is mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass.”
Entrance Antiphon
Behold, now she follows the Lamb who was crucified for us, powerful in virginity, modesty her offering, a sacrifice on the altar of chastity.
Collect
May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray, for she found favour with you by the courage of her martyrdom and the merit of her chastity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12
When the time of David’s death drew near, he gave these instructions to his son Solomon: “I am going the way of all flesh. Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do, wherever you turn, and the Lord may fulfill the promise he made on my behalf when he said, ‘If your sons so conduct themselves that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart and with their whole soul, you shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel.'” David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years: he reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. Solomon was seated on the throne of his father David, with his sovereignty firmly established.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 1 Chronicles 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd
R/ Lord, you are exalted over all.
- Blessed may you be, O Lord, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity.”
- Yours, O Lord, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory.”
- Lord, you are exalted over all. Yours, O Lord, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor are from you.”
- In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.”
Gospel Acclamation: Mark 1:15
Alleluia, alleluia. The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick —no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Prayer over the Offerings
May the offerings we bring in celebration of blessed N. win your gracious acceptance, O Lord, we pray, just as the struggle of her suffering and passion was pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Rv 7: 17
The Lamb who is at the centre of the throne will lead them to the springs of the waters of life.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who bestowed on blessed N. a crown among the Saints for her twofold triumph of virginity and martyrdom, grant, we pray, through the power of this Sacrament, that, bravely overcoming every evil, we may attain the glory of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“He began to send them out two by two.” Jesus made his disciples missionaries, sending them out to preach and drive out demons. He reminded them of their status as missionaries after his resurrection, when he said to them, “As the Father sent me, so I am sending you” (Jn 20: 21). Like the disciples, you are a missionary. Jesus is sending you to your family, your school, your workplace, your meeting house, your friends and your acquaintances. Jesus is sending you to proclaim his Word in these places and to these people. He wants you to teach the people you encounter the right way to live and show them an example with your life. Just as David instructed his son Solomon on his deathbed, you have to exhort them to live in accordance with the Christian ideals of love, peace, justice and honesty. You have to help them to encounter God, love him and serve him. They may or may not listen to you or follow you, but you must make sure they see Jesus and hear his message through you. Go out to the whole world, proclaim the Good News!
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 3, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT VERONICA
Psalter IV | GREEN
“According to Christian tradition, she was a woman from Jerusalem who was moved by pity to offer Jesus her veil to wipe his face as he carried the cross to Golgotha. The veil, miraculously, bore an imprint of Christ’s face.”
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17
King David said to Joab and the leaders of the army who were with him, “Tour all the tribes in Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba and register the people, that I may know their number.” Joab then reported to the king the number of people registered: in Israel, eight hundred thousand men fit for military service; in Judah, five hundred thousand. Afterward, however, David regretted having numbered the people, and said to the Lord: “I have sinned grievously in what I have done. But now, Lord, forgive the guilt of your servant, for I have been very foolish.” When David rose in the morning, the Lord had spoken to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying: “Go and say to David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I offer you three alternatives; choose one of them, and I will inflict it on you.'” Gad then went to David to inform him. He asked: “Do you want a three years’ famine to come upon your land, or to flee from your enemy three months while he pursues you, or to have a three days’ pestilence in your land? Now consider and decide what I must reply to him who sent me.” David answered Gad: “I am in very serious difficulty. Let us fall by the hand of God, for he is most merciful; but let me not fall by the hand of man.” Thus David chose the pestilence. Now it was the time of the wheat harvest when the plague broke out among the people. The Lord then sent a pestilence over Israel from morning until the time appointed, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beer-sheba died. But when the angel stretched forth his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord regretted the calamity and said to the angel causing the destruction among the people, “Enough now! Stay your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the Lord: “It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these are sheep; what have they done? Punish me and my kindred.”
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
R/ Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
- Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile.
- Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the Lord,” and you took away the guilt of my sin.
- For this shall every faithful man pray to you in time of stress. Though deep waters overflow, they shall not reach him.
- You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
Gospel Acclamation: John 10:27
Alleluia, alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 6:1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“He was amazed at their lack of faith.” David ordered a census in order to know how many subjects he had and how many soldiers he had at his service. In so doing, he forgot that his power came from God and his military victories were the result of God’s protection and not his own military might. The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus because they refused to see in him anything more than the ordinary person who had grown up in their midst; he could not be more than the person they knew him to be. Their attitude, like that of David, reflected a lack of trust. Lack of faith in God is at the root of all sin. We sin because we count on ourselves and not on God, because we refuse to allow God to be in control of our lives, because we fail to recognise the power of God. Let us, like David ask God for forgiveness for all the times when we have not trusted him, when we have counted on ourselves and not on him. Let us reaffirm our belief in Jesus and allow him to work wonders in our lives. Let us ask Jesus to increase our faith.
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 2, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT BLAISE, BISHOP AND MARTYR
Psalter IV | RED
known for his healing of a boy who was choking on a fishbone. He is considered the patron saint of throat illnesses and is celebrated by Catholics with blessings of throats, often using blessed candles. Saint Blaise was martyred in 316 in Sebastea, Armenia, and is also revered as a patron saint of various professions, including wool combers and
merchants..
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105:47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 2 Samuel 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. Now David was sitting between the two gates, and a lookout went up to the roof of the gate above the city wall, where he looked about and saw a man running all alone. The lookout shouted to inform the king, who said, “If he is alone, he has good news to report.” The king said, “Step aside and remain in attendance here.” So he stepped aside and remained there. When the Cushite messenger came in, he said, “Let my lord the king receive the good news that this day the Lord has taken your part, freeing you from the grasp of all who rebelled against you.” But the king asked the Cushite, “Is young Absalom safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rebel against you with evil intent be as that young man!” The king was shaken, and went up to the room over the city gate to weep. He said as he wept, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!” Joab was told that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom; and that day’s victory was turned into mourning for the whole army when they heard that the king was grieving for his son.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R/ Listen, Lord, and answer me.
- Incline your ear, O Lord; answer me, for I am afflicted and poor. Keep my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God.
- Have mercy on me, O Lord, for to you I call all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
- For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness to all who call upon you. Hearken, O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my pleading.
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 8:17
Alleluia, alleluia. Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases. Alleluia, 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.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.” David was facing a rebellion led by his own son, Absalom, and he had had to flee for his life; but God came to his rescue and delivered him. Jairus came to Jesus because he believed that Jesus could save his daughter from death. Even when he was told his daughter had died, he stayed with Jesus because Jesus asked him to have faith. The woman with haemorrhage touched Jesus’ clothes because she was convinced that just that act would bring her healing. These three people teach us one lesson: absolute trust in the power and mercy of Jesus. Like them, we come up against hurdles and go through crises in life: we have to deal with unemployment, economic hardship, sickness, the loss of loved ones, challenges in our workplaces etc. When these moments come, let us turn to Jesus in faith. Let us go to him in prayer and remain committed to his precepts. Like Jairus and the sick woman, let us go to him with the firm conviction that he has a solution to our problems. Jesus tells us today not to be afraid, but to have faith in him.
