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| "The Woman with an Issue of Blood" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: Hosea
2: 16 - 18, 21 - 22
16
So I am going to allure her, lead her once more into the desert,
where I can speak to her tenderly.
17
Then I will give back her vineyards, make the Valley of Achor a door
of hope. There she will answer me as in her youth,
as
when she came out of the land of Egypt.
18
On that day, Yahweh says, you will call me my husband, and never
again: my Baal.
21
You will be my spouse forever, betrothed in justice and integrity; we
will be united in love and tenderness.
22
I will espouse you in faithfulness and you will come to know Yahweh.
PSALM:
Psalms 145:
2 - 9
2
I will praise you day after day and exalt your name forever.
3
Great is the Lord, most worthy of praise; and his deeds are beyond
measure.
4
Parents commend your works to their children and tell them your
feats.
5
They proclaim the splendor of your majesty and recall your wondrous
works.
6
People will proclaim your mighty deeds, and I will declare your
greatness.
7
They will celebrate your abundant kindness, and rejoice in singing of
your justice.
8
Compassionate and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding
in love.
9
The Lord is good to everyone; his mercy embraces all his creation.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 9:
18 - 26
18
While Jesus was speaking to them, an official of the synagogue came
up to him, bowed before him and said, "My daughter has just
died, but come and place your hands on her, and she will live."
19
Jesus stood up and followed him with his disciples.
20
Then a woman who had suffered from a severe bleeding for twelve years
came up from behind and touched the edge of his cloak.
21
For she thought, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
22
Jesus turned, saw her and said, "Courage, my daughter, your
faith has saved you." And from that moment the woman was cured.
23
When Jesus arrived at the official's house and saw the flute players
and the excited crowd, he said,
24
"Get out of here! The girl is not dead. She is only sleeping!"
And they laughed at him.
25
But once the crowd had been turned out, Jesus went in and took the
girl by the hand, and she stood up.
26
The news of this spread through the whole area.
