Daily Catholic Lectio
Tue, 30 January 2024
Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30, 19:3. Mark 5:21-43
Cementing thoughts!
Today’s gospel reading serves as another example of Mark’s storytelling skills. Two miracles occur here in the text: a woman is healed of her haemorrhages, which she suffered for twelve years, and a girl of twelve years old is brought back to life. Two miracles are of two different natures: the healing of the sick and the raising of the dead. Some scholars say that two stories have been merged into one. But, when we look at the text from the perspective of ‘human haste and divine slowness’, we could say that the first miracle sets up the stage for the second miracle. The first miracle strengthens the faith of Jairus, the girl’s father.
Mark records that while Jesus was still speaking, people from Jairus’ house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the master any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
Who are these people who came from Jairus’ house? His relatives? His servants? His messengers? They not only bring the news of the death of the daughter but also ‘cement’ the thought of Jairus by telling him, ‘nothing more could be done!’ Their words are realistic and convincing, and they appeal to our knowledge. Their words are true, for no one who is dead can be brought back to life. And they also underlined that Jesus was but a teacher (master), not Lord!
In management today, they talk about ‘cementing thoughts’. They are similar to our self-limiting beliefs. These thoughts usually emerge from within and are reinforced from without. They curtail our growth. They freeze our lives. They destroy our self-belief.
How do we overcome them?
(a) We must have the faith of the woman suffering from haemorrhages. She was almost dead, both physically and economically. She had Jesus as her last resort. She clung to Jesus, come what may. She made her way through the crowd, which was pressing. She nudged herself into action. She was audacious in her pursuit.
(b) The words of Jesus, ‘Do not be afraid; just have faith’, must always ring in our ears and hearts. Jesus’ whisper was more impactful than the loud noises of the people from Jairus’ house. Jesus’ words may not be convincing to our reason, but they are connected to our hearts.
In the first reading, David mourns for the death of Absalom. In yesterday’s reading, David was fleeing from Absalom, who sought to kill him. But, now, when he dies, he does not rejoice. He never considers Absalom his enemy. David’s fatherly heart beats for Absalom. David feels pity for Absalom’s tragic end.
After the Bathsheba event, the Lord said to David through Nathan, ‘The sword will not depart from your house.’ What a pity! The sword continues to eliminate people from David’s life.
Cementing thoughts are the swords that kill us. We need to break the swords, as did the woman suffering from haemorrhages and as did Jairus clinging on to Jesus.
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In the journey towards the synodal church, prejudices emerge as cementing thoughts for communion. They emerge as thoughts but turn out to be convictions. The cementing thoughts cement our growth and relationships (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 19).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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