First Reading

Reading from the second book of Samuel 

2 Samuel 18, 9-10. 14. 24-25. 30–19, 3

In those days, after being defeated by David’s men, Absalom, his son, fled. He was riding on a mule, and as the mule went under the branches of a dense oak tree, Absalom’s head got caught in the branches and he was left hanging in the air while the mule kept running. One of the soldiers saw him and went to tell Joab: «I just saw Absalom hanging from an oak tree.» Joab approached where Absalom was, took three arrows in his hand, and thrust them into his heart.

Meanwhile, David was in Jerusalem, sitting at the city gate. The sentinel, stationed in the watchtower above the gate in the wall, looked up and saw a man running alone. He shouted to the king to inform him. The king replied: «If he comes alone, it is a sign that he brings good news. Let him pass. You, stay there.» The sentinel let him pass and remained at his post.

The man who was running, who was an Ethiopian, arrived where David was and said: «I bring good news to my lord, the king. God has done justice for you today, delivering you from those who rebelled against you.» The king asked: «But my son Absalom, is he well?» The Ethiopian replied: «May all your enemies and all who rebel against my lord, the king, end up like him.»

Then the king shuddered. He went up to the watchtower above the city gate and began to weep, saying: «My son, Absalom; son, my son, Absalom. I wish I had died in your place, Absalom, my son.»

They then informed Joab that the king was inconsolable over the death of Absalom. For that reason, that victory turned into a day of mourning for the entire army when they learned that the king was inconsolable over the death of his son. Therefore, the troops entered the city furtively, like an army that has fled from battle enters ashamed.

Gospel

Reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Mark 

Mark 5, 21-43

At that time, when Jesus returned in the boat to the other side of the lake, he stayed on the shore and a large crowd gathered around him there. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, approached. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet and begged him insistently: «My daughter is dying. Come lay your hands on her so that she may be cured and live.» Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed against him.

Among the crowd was a woman who had suffered from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians and had spent all her money on them, but instead of improving, she had grown worse. She had heard about Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his cloak, thinking, «If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.» Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed.

Jesus, realizing at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, «Who has touched my clothes?» His disciples said to him: «You see how the crowd is pressing against you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?'» But he kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, fearful and trembling, aware of what had happened, came forward and fell down before him 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 leader’s house arrived and said to him, «Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?» Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue leader, «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 leader, 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 girl 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. They were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said to give her something to eat.