Proper 8 Year B
Generous Acts
Introduction
What does it mean to be healed? Some time back, a friend with lupus said "I just want to be healed." Such a simple request. And most of us think "to be healed" means "to be free of any disease." The short answer is "to be healed" means to be at peace with one's situation. In other words, at peace and still have a "disease". Disease can mean many things—physical infirmities, of course, but emotional infirmities as well. For me, "to be healed" means to take necessary measures to control my disease as best as I can while at the same time knowing that I'm in God's palm (read Lamentations again). [Also note in the reflection in the next section, the use of the word "enable" rather than "giving".] Feel free to comment.
Mark 5:21-43
. . . one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus . . . and begged him repeatedly, “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.” So he went with him.
And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who . . . had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” . . . Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” . . . He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” . . .
From sermon4kids.com: “. . . Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, only believe!” When you face what seems to be a hopeless situation, remember the words of Jesus, “Only believe!””
Scripture: June 30, 2024—2 Samuel 1:1, 17–27 (image); Psalm 130 (image); Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15, 2:23-24 (image); Lamentations 3:21-33 (image); 2 Corinthians 8:7–15 (image); and Mark 5:21–43 (image). A visual/audio journey through the scripture.
Collect: Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: In this week’s readings, various people bring their suffering to God, through lament and the search for healing. How does Christ enable you—and how might you enable others—to be honest with God in doubt and pain?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 2 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Symbols of the Church
The Horn—This Christian symbol represents God’s power. Being the principal means of defense as well as an attack that most animals are endowed with, the horn is symbolic of dominion, power, triumph, fierceness, strength, intelligence, dignity, prosperity and glory.
Also:
A horn with oil is representative of David being anointed as the King and the seven horns of the Ram stand for the conquering of Jericho (Joshua) by the Israelites.
The word is also used in several popular expressions whose meanings have religious connotations.
For instance, the phrase ‘horn of plenty’ denotes the Almighty’s generosity; and
‘horn of salvation’ refers to Jesus Christ and is representative of a strong savior.
excerpted from "Christian symbols and their meanings" website.
Click here for a page of symbols described in this publication.
Images enhancing
the scripture
“Woman with a hemorrhage” by Louis Glanzman
“femme tousant Jesus” by Corrine Vonaesch Peintures
“Christ addressing a kneeling woman” by Paulo Veronese
Music founded
in the scripture
“Heal me, hands of Jesus", from Wonder, Love, and Praise
“The Lord bless you and keep you" by John Rutter, instrumental
"Fight the good fight", sung by St. Bartholomew's Choir
"Touch the hem of his garment" by Sam Cooke
Other voices
about the scripture
"A meditation on Mark 5:24-34" by Steve Garnass-Holmes from Unfolding light website
"Three lessons we can learn from the story of Jairus' daughter" by Seth L Scott.
"Jairus and his daughter" by Melanie Rainer
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“Legally Blonde” (2001, PG-13), how do we judge people, “everyone has inner flair”, Review
For families: Study guide and activities (another guide), group activity, snacks—children can TOUCH a snack in a bag and take the snack of their TOUCH choice, kid video.
For children: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin; craft—Cut out letters for JUST BELIEVE and glue the letters onto paper. Decorate with glitter and stickers. Write Mark 5:36b
For middlers: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin; craft—same as for children above
For youth: For the summer, we are exploring how faith and science fit together—or do they? The fourth video in our summer series looks at the difference between how science versus faith answers the question “What is a human being?” Consider how science and faith answer the question. For this week, print your worksheet from here. Write down what you think. Write it on your worksheet or share it if you wish.
Today’s liturgy directs our attention to God’s care for the poor and less fortunate. In the Gospel reading we hear the account of Jesus’ raising the young daughter of the Jewish official, Jairus. Mark inserts within this story the healing of a woman who had suffered hemorrhages for twelve years. The girl and the woman, by the custom of their times, were both regarded as of little value. But Jesus’ compassion extends to them as it does to all people.
For II Samuel: In the first reading, Saul has died after losing a battle. With him fell his son, Jonathan, who had, in spite of Saul’s hatred for David, become David’s dearest friend. David defeats the enemy and then sings the song we hear today praising the heroism of Saul and Jonathan, and in one of the most deeply moving passages in scripture, grieves the death of his dear friend.
For Lamentations: In the first reading, from Lamentations, we are assured that whatever ill befalls us, God’s love for we will never fails. God, we are told, does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.
For Wisdom of Solomon: In the Wisdom of Solomon we learn that death has no part in God, nor does it belong in this world. We are in God’s image and intended for a righteous and eternal existence.
Paul calls on the Corinthians to emulate the generosity of other churches in giving to a collection to aid less fortunate Christians. Jesus, Paul reminds us, became poor for us so that we might become rich; that is, he became human so that our humanity might be raised into the life of God. Thus, for the sake of others, we follow Jesus’ example and share our own material goods.
We gather in Eucharist as the People of God, called to be the means by which God makes known the divine compassion for all people. It is the poor and neglected in society for whom God is especially concerned as Jesus demonstrated in healing the sick. We are called and given to the world to minister in God’s name.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.