Our Lady of Grace
&
The Holy
Spirit
Fellowship
Groups
FORMAT
FOR MEETING NOVEMBER 06
Haemorrhaging woman and Jarius’ daughter
Brief welcome (with tea)
Opening
prayer: preferably a few words from a member of the group. There
was a suggestion that the opening prayer should include asking Jesus to
come into the discussion and bring his healing through our discussions
and prayers.
( Eg Thank you for bringing us together and for the opportunity to listen
to your word and learn from your Holy Spirit and grow in our faith. Help
us to share, to be open and attentive, and help us to practise in our
lives what we learn from you. Amen.
Or, for example: Lord God, Lead us by your Holy Spirit. We ask you to
come into our lives, our Parish, this group, and lead us where you want
us to go. Amen)
Read passage
aloud Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again (in the boat) to the other side, a large
crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the
synagogue officials, named Jarius, came forward. Seeing him he fell at
his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is
at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her 8 that she may
get well and live."
He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon
him. There was a woman afflicted with haemorrhages for twelve years. She
had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that
she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched
his cloak. 9 She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."
Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she
was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone
out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched
my clothes?" But his disciples said to him, "You see how the
crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, 'Who touched me?'" And
he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had
happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before
Jesus 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 official's house
arrived and said, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher
any longer?" Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said
to the synagogue official, "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
official, 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
child 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. (At that) they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should
be given something to eat.
Questions
on the passage for discussion
(Focus on the glory and resurrection that suffering brings us to. Mother
Theresa says that when people suffer they are kissed by the crucified
Christ. Resurrection can only come from the cross. Everyone suffers in
different ways. Paul to Romans 8 v18: I think that what we suffer in this
life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting
for us.)
Does Jesus heal today?
How does your faith help you in your sickness?
Where do you find meaning at times of suffering?
Jesus came to comfort the afflicted, how does Jesus comfort you today?
How can you live suffering and the paschal (suffering and death and resurrection
of Christ) mystery in your daily life?
Re-read
the passage aloud, followed by silent reflection.
Prayers resulting from silent reflection and also prayers for the needs
of the group members or others as arises.
Finish with daily group prayer: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Social: Shared
table
Grace before eating: For example: Bless us, O Lord, and
these your gifts which we are about to receive from your bounty, through
Christ our Lord. Amen
Grace after eating: For example: We give you thanks, almighty God, for all your benefits, who lives and reigns, for ever and ever. Amen