Meeting Mourning and Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present times of lament and mourning even as we ponder reanimation during grief as a companion of Jesus.

Love and Life

The Reading from the Second Book of Samuel presents the Death of Absalom and David’s Reaction when Told of Absalom’s Death. (2 Samuel, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 86 is an individual lament.

* [Psalm 86] An individual lament. The psalmist, “poor and oppressed” (Ps 86:1), “devoted” (Ps 86:2), “your servant” (Ps 86:2, 4, 16), “rescued from the depths of Sheol” (Ps 86:13), attacked by the ruthless (Ps 86:14), desires only God’s protection (Ps 86:1–7, 11–17). (Psalms, PSALM 86 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus heals Jairus’s Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage.

* [5:21–43] The story of the raising to life of Jairus’s daughter is divided into two parts: Mk 5:21–24; 5:35–43. Between these two separated parts the account of the cure of the hemorrhage victim (Mk 5:25–34) is interposed. This technique of intercalating or sandwiching one story within another occurs several times in Mk 3:19b–21; Mk 3:22–30; 3:31–35; 6:6b–13; 6:14–29; 6:30; 11:12–14; 11:15–19; 11:20–25; 14:53; 14:54; 14:55–65; 14:66–73.

* [5:23] Lay your hands on her: this act for the purpose of healing is frequent in Mk 6:5; 7:32–35; 8:23–25; 16:18 and is also found in Mt 9:18; Lk 4:40; 13:13; Acts 9:17; 28:8.

* [5:28] Both in the case of Jairus and his daughter (Mk 5:23) and in the case of the hemorrhage victim, the inner conviction that physical contact (Mk 5:30) accompanied by faith in Jesus’ saving power could effect a cure was rewarded.

* [5:35] The faith of Jairus was put to a twofold test: (1) that his daughter might be cured and, now that she had died, (2) that she might be restored to life. His faith contrasts with the lack of faith of the crowd.

* [5:39] Not dead but asleep: the New Testament often refers to death as sleep (Mt 27:52; Jn 11:11; 1 Cor 15:6; 1 Thes 4:13–15); see note on Mt 9:24.

* [5:41] Arise: the Greek verb egeirein is the verb generally used to express resurrection from death (Mk 6:14, 16; Mt 11:5; Lk 7:14) and Jesus’ own resurrection (Mk 16:6; Mt 28:6; Lk 24:6). (Mark, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mirielle Mason comments that this Gospel shows us that God will always meet us where we are.

There is no circumstance too far gone for Him to love us through. He calls us to give Him our troubles so that we can follow His path. Again, I find this difficult, but allow me to share a mental image I have prayed with that I find helpful. I imagine a nasty black mass of goo. It has a mind of its own, and tries to cling to me. This filth is whatever I am trying to lay at the feet of the Lord. I imagine, sometimes over and over, doing just that. I approach the resplendent feet of the Lord and imagine relinquishing my burden. I pray as I do this, that God will help me to let go of my fears, and fill me with His peace.

My prayer for us all this day is that we may be able to relinquish our fears to the Lord, and that He may replace them with His love and peace. (Mason, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The long-suffering of parents,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

"Let us, if it is pleasing to you, speak for a moment of the pains and anxieties which parents take upon themselves and endure in patience out of love and affection for their children. Here, surrounded by her family and by the sympathy and affection of her relations, a daughter lies upon her bed of suffering. She is fading in body. Her father's mind and spirit are worn with grief. She is suffering the inward pangs of her sickness. He, unwashed, unkempt, is absorbed wholly in sorrow. He suffers and endures before the eyes of the world. She is sinking into the quiet of death... Alas! why are children indifferent to these things! Why are they not mindful of them? Why are they not eager to make a return to their parents for them? But the love of parents goes on nevertheless; and whatever parents bestow upon their children, God, the parent of us all, will duly repay." (excerpt from SERMON 33.2)

[Peter Chrysologus, 400-450 AD, was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 5:21-43 comments that when we come to Jesus with faith and trust, it makes all the difference. Our faith connects us to him in a life-changing way. It enables us to come to him and surrender our own ideas. It helps us bring him our needs with trust in the goodness of his plan.

It moves us to stand before him stripped of our own efforts and solutions, knowing that he alone can make us whole. Then, ready to receive his grace, we can experience his healing and salvation.

“Jesus, I come to you with everything on my heart. But I don’t want to push you to follow my plan. I simply reach out to you and ask you to heal me.” (Meditation on Mark 5:21-43, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in 2 Samuel the story of how the rebellious son Absalom was killed in the battle “between heaven and earth” is presented. The messengers hear the response of David that his son has been killed “If only I had died rather than you” David shows tremendous love for Absalom. In previous verses in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus executes a nature miracle, and an exorcism of the demoniac. In Mark, the "sandwich” after the synagogue officials initial contact is with the woman suffering with a hemorrhage.  She should not have touched Jesus. In Hebrew practice she was unclean and made Jesus unclean by touching Him. In the other Gospels and in this story Jesus says “your faith has saved you”, Being saved is being healed spiritually and physically. Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the girl and calls her to rise and Jesus takes her dead body to life by touching her. Friar Jude notes that Jesus takes care of her ordinary needs after reanimating the girl and we witness a small healing and a large healing in the Gospel today.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley who describes God’s vision of shalom, which is the ancient Hebrew vision of communal peace and universal thriving.

God’s will and cosmic design is that no one suffer unjustly, but because human beings create unjust systems, shalom-type social parameters must serve as a social safety net to offset human disobedience. In order to create a shalom system of social harmony, no person could be oppressed for too long without hope of ease and eventual release; no family could remain in poverty for generations; no land could be worked until it was depleted and useless; no animals could go hungry for too long. Any of these violations of shalom that were left unmitigated for too long would upset the natural order of reciprocity fixed in all creation. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit to meet us in our mourning and desire for understanding and sustain our journey to healing with Jesus' condolence that “Your faith has saved you.”

References

Mark, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/5?21 

Mason, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-february-3-2026 

Meditation on Mark 5:21-43. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/02/02/1492402/ 

Psalms, PSALM 86 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/86?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/communal-shalom/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Woman Who Took Heart in Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Samuel, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/18?9 

Unity and Attentiveness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be attentive to the call and mission of Christ to bring us together as children of God.

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians calls for Unity in the Body of Christ.

* [4:1–16] A general plea for unity in the church. Christians have been fashioned through the Spirit into a single harmonious religious community (one body, Eph 4:4, 12; cf. Eph 4:16), belonging to a single Lord (in contrast to the many gods of the pagan world), and by one way of salvation through faith, brought out especially by the significance of baptism (Eph 4:1–6; cf. Rom 6:1–11). 

* [4:4–6] The “seven unities” (church, Spirit, hope; Lord, faith in Christ [Eph 1:13], baptism; one God) reflect the triune structure of later creeds in reverse. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 24 is a prayer for Entrance into the Temple

* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches about interpreting the times and settling with your opponent.

* [12:59] The last penny: Greek, lepton, a very small amount. Mt 5:26 has for “the last penny” the Greek word kodrantēs (Latin quadrans, “farthing”). (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Carol Zuegner thinks Jesus is telling all of us to pay attention. We know how. We can read the signs of a friend’s distress, a colleague happy about a good meeting, a family member’s need for reassurance. We can read them, but what happens when we are distracted? How can I see God in others if our only communication is a grinning emoji and an abbreviation? Any communication can be good, but we need to go beyond that surface level.

I think we are all starved to that kind of attention that is focused, caring, empathetic. We all need to really see the signs and really listen to what those around us are saying. It takes time and effort to see beyond the surface and to interpret the signs of how those around us are coping. Those text messages can wait. I don’t have to watch that video right now. I can pay attention to those around me and pay attention to me. (Zuegner, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Signs from the Law point to the dawn of the Mystery of Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"People focus their attention on things of this kind. From long observation and practice they tell beforehand when rain will fall or violent winds will blow. One especially sees that sailors are very skillful in this matter. He says that it would be suitable for those who can calculate things of this sort and may foretell storms that are about to happen to focus the penetrating eyes of the mind also on important matters. What are these? The law showed beforehand the mystery of Christ, that he would shine out in the last ages of the world on the inhabitants of the earth and submit to be a sacrifice for the salvation of all. It even commanded a lamb to be sacrificed as a type of him who died towards evening and at lighting of lamps (Exodus 12:6).

"We might now understand that when, like the day, this world was declining to its close, the great, precious and truly saving passion would be fulfilled. The door of salvation would be thrown wide open to those who believe in him, and abundant happiness be their share. In the Song of Songs, we also find Christ calling to the bride described there. The bride personally represents the church, in these words, 'Arise, come, my neighbor, my beautiful dove. Look, the winter is past, and the rain is gone. It has passed away. The flowers appear on the ground. The time of the pruning has come' (Song 2:10-12). As I said, a certain springlike calm was about to arise for those who believe in him." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 95)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6 notes that when Pope Francis was asked, “Who is Jorge Bergoglio?” his answer surprised many: “I am a sinner whom the Lord looked upon with mercy.” But to fellow Jesuits around the world, his response was anything but surprising. They knew that this is the standard answer for a Jesuit when he is asked about his identity: that he is “a sinner loved and redeemed by God.”

This recognition of who we are can also help us in “bearing with one another through love” (Ephesians 4:2). We aren’t perfect, and we can’t expect other people to be perfect, either. We are all in the same boat—all sinners striving to please the Lord but also in need of God’s mercy every day. That awareness softens our hearts, allowing us to treat others with patience and gentleness and to forgive them as the Lord forgives us.

Yes, God has called us who are sinners to follow him. But through his love, grace, and mercy, we can live in a way that makes us worthy of this call!

“Jesus, thank you for calling me. Help me to glorify you.” (Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the passage from Ephesians is set by the author as from Paul in prison as it urges a life of gentleness, patience, and love as a sign of unity in Christ. Our cleverness in interpretation of the physical world should extend to our spiritual reality. Friar Jude reminds us of the preparation practice of living as if it is our last day on earth.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that visionaries, prophets, and Jesus have all warned us that this journey that we are on will be beset by troubles. In this life, you will have trouble. How we handle that trouble is our witness to future generations.

What I want to say about the wisdom that matters now is that this wisdom often comes from discernment of Divine Spirit in our midst. Hearing and heeding the voice of the Divine is critical during difficult times. But sometimes, with all of our media distractions and our own boredom, it’s difficult to hear the voice of the Creator. So, I’m going to suggest that if you’re hoping to hear beyond this realm into the next, remember that the key is newness. The Creator does not come as we expect. The Spirit does not move under our command. When we expect divine intervention in one way, it usually comes in another. We expect the warrior king to set things right, God sends a baby in a manger. We expect wrongs to be punished, God extends grace and mercy to all.   (Rohr, n.d.)

As we contemplate the nature of the unity among us, we consider our state and common condition as “sinners whom the Lord looked upon with mercy.”

References

Ephesians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/4?1  

Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?54= 

Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/25/1112765/ 

Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Wisdom Will Come. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/wisdom-will-come/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Heed the Warning Signs before It Is Too Late. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct25 

Zuegner, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102524.html