Sunday June 28, 2009 the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: Sunday June 28, 2009, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24 Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13
2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15 Mark 5: 21-43

The words, in the Book of Wisdom, read today are missing from the KJV and most Bibles, except Catholic and Orthodox. In the New Testament, the writers of the Gospels and Paul refer to the Wisdom literature, by direct quote or context, as Scripture. (Matt.
5:34,6:12,6:14,7:2,11,29,21:16,26:68) (Sir.23:9, 28:2,28:1-5,Wis.12:22,Sir.51:26,Wis.10:21, 2:19)

In fact, the Scripture, at the time of Jesus, among the Pharisees and Essenes, was generally known as the Septuagint. All the Wisdom literature, including Tobit, Judith,Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, I & II Maccabees were included as Scripture.

The books were compiled and translated into Greek to satisfy and complete the library at Alexandria, Egypt by Jewish Scribes as requested by King Ptolemy, in about the year 285BC.

When the Canon of Scripture, including the 27 books of the New Testament was decided, in 395 AC, in Hippo, North Africa, many other texts were considered. However, the Fathers of the Church agreed to keep all 46 of the Hebrew Scripture and 27 of the New Testament writings. Every Catholic Bible, therefore, contains these 73 books.

The writer of Wisdom concludes God did not create a sinful humanity but in the image of His own nature. Our free will permits us to choose not to do God's Will but sin becomes actual at the urging of the prince of Darkness and sin. The implication, of our likeness to God as imperishable, is the reward for a virtuous living, is life after mortal death. Those who choose a wayward existence, unrepentant, choose eternal death, often called Hell.

Psalm 30 reminds us God is responsible for our being brought up from the abode of the dead (the nether world). It is His Will, alone, which keeps us from the suffering because of His absence in our lives. Therefore, we must thank and praise Him, incessantly, because we do not deserve His forgiveness. Thank Him also for not remembering our offenses against Him.



Paul urges us, through the teachings in 2 Corinthians to exercise our love by supplying the needs of others. Each of us has the opportunity and the obligation to provide, in some way, the needs of those in need.

Whether it be consolation, material or spiritual aid, our abundance of any, requires the distribution to all.

We show our love for Jesus by our love for our fellow beings. Reading the full text of Mark 5: 21-43, gives us an opportunity to witness an example of Christ's love for His people. The synagogue official, aware of Christ's extraordinary power to heal, came with faith to ask for his child's sake.

The official was looking for a simple healing. What he received was the resurrection of his daughter from death, which the people though was final.

When we see ourselves sinking in the quagmire of death, we need to affirm our faith in Jesus. He can do anything, provided our faith is strong and not wavering.

The woman, who touched the tassel of His garment and was immediately healed, was desperate. For twelve years, the doctors tried what they knew to heal her. The only thing they did for sure was deplete her bank account, Broke, she did the only thing left to her.

Isn't that what we do?

We wait until we're spiritually bankrupt before we reach out for the only straw we can clutch at.

Instead, reach out now!

Don't wait until your strength is gone

He will respond to your call!

Why not respond to His?