Sunday June 30, 2024
Thirteenth Sunday of the Year (B)
Office: Psalter Week 1. Te Deum
Mass prop., Gloria. Creed.
Preface of Sunday
Vestment: Green
Today’s Rosary: The Glorious Mystery
Click HERE for the Previous Catholic Daily Reading
Vespers II of the 13th Sunday of the Year
OWERRI: Tomorrow is the 34th anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd Lucius I.Ugorji, 1st July 1990
KATSINA-ALA: Tomorrow is the 2nd anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd Isaac B. Duga, 1st July 2022
THEME OF THE SUNDAY: The God of Life.
The First Reading tells us that God is always on the side of life. He wants us to live. All that diminishes or ruins it does not come from him, but from our sins. In the gospel we find Jesus who, like his Father, works for life: firstly healing the woman, and secondly by giving life back to the girl. The second reading can be linked to this theme: Christians must help those in difficulty, those who are hungry or, for lack of the bare minimum, do not live the life that God wants all of us to live.
FIRST READING
“Through ’the devil’s envy death entered the world.”
A reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24)
God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living. For he created all things that they might exist, and the creatures of the world are wholesome, and there is no destructive poison in them; and the dominion of Hades is not on earth. For righteousness is immortal. For God created man for incorruption, and made him in the image of his own eternity, but through the devil’s envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his party experience it.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 30:2 and 4.5-6.11-12a and 13b (R. 2a)
R/. I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up.
I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up,
and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O Lord, you have lifted up my soul from the grave,
restored me to life from those who sink into the pit. R/.
Sing psalms to the Lord, you faithful ones;
give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life.
At night there are tears, but at dawn comes joy. R/.
R/. I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up.
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;
be my helper, O Lord.
You have changed my mourning into dancing,
O Lord my God, I will thank you forever. R/.
SECOND READING
“Your abundance should supply their want.
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 8:7.9.13-15)
Brethren: As you excel in everything — in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us — see that you excel in this gracious work also. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA 2 Timothy 1: 10
Alleluia. Our Saviour Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 5:21-43)
At that time: When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, and begged him, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a Woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well.” And immediately the haemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?”’ And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
While he was still speaking, * there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi”; which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and walked; for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
The Gospel of the Lord. *
The Creed (I Believe)
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
Our God is the author and sustainer of life. Let us ask him to protect our life from all that threatens its and for the grace to have faith in him.
FOR THE CHURCH: that our good God, through the pastoral ministry of the church, may give life to those in the shadow of death, and grant healing and comfort to the sick. We pray O Lord.
FOR CIVIL LEADERS: that in the discharge of their duties, they may give priority to the provision of those facilities that enhance the quality of life of the people they have been called to serve. We pray O Lord.
FOR INCREASE IN FAITH: that, like Jairus and the woman with a haemorrhage, our faith in God may remain strong and lead us to believe that with him, all things are possible. We pray O Lord.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE TEMPTED TO COMMIT SUICIDE: that they may realize that life is a beautiful gift from God, which should be cherished and protected. We pray O Lord.
FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).
FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. We pray O Lord.
We pray in silence for our private intentions.
Celebrant:
Father, you sent us your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may have life to the full. Graciously hear our prayers and grant us the grace to radiate your life and light. Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
A look at the two stories presented to us in the Gospel passage of today reveals to us that if we have not met Jesus, then we have not yet received our total healing. The woman with the flow of blood had spent all she had without a cure. Touching the fringe of Jesus’ garment healed her. Jairus also called on the Lord and his daughter was brought back to life. In both instances, true faith in Christ was demonstrated. The two stories also illustrate the healing power of Jesus. Medical science has indeed come a long way, but there is one whose power far exceeds that of science. Hence doctors can do their best in showing care, but it is ultimately Jesus who heals.
NINE DAY MID-YEAR PRAYERS “DIVINE RESTORATION” (1st – 9th JULY 2024)
There are two institutions the devil always seek to destroy, the Priesthood and Family life. He’s always prowling around seeking ways to destroy and devour them.
In this nine day mid-year encounter tagged “Divine Restoration” 1 Peter 2:24, there will be a total exposé of Gods redemption and restorations in all areas of our life, we shall be committing ourselves, our Children, our family, our priests and religious into the hands of God by whose stripes we are healed.
The evil ones will not succeed over us in Jesus name.
God will richly bless you as you participate actively in this program from tomorrow 1st – 9th July 2024 in Jesus name. Amen.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL
“I did not reject you, but chose you. Do not be afraid – I am with you! I am your God – let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you. Isaiah 41:10
– On what path are you walking, child of God?
– Many ways seem right to the man but the end thereof is condemnation. Ask the Holy Spirit to redirect your footsteps to the Lord’s path.
– Your eyes may have been veiled to see Jesus, ask the Lord to open the eyes of your mind to see and accept Jesus live in their lives and for their salvation.
– Pray that the sound teachings of the scripture will not be polluted by the false teaching of the Rabbis.
– Pray against dashed hopes and shattered dreams of your lives and look towards the rising sun and not towards the settling sun.
Let Us Pray
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and shares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen
