Death: The Only Qualification for Life
- davidwperk
- Jan 28
- 7 min read
Daily Office Devotional, Monday, January 27, 2025
The week of the third Sunday after the Epiphany
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel
21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat* to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. 22Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23and begged him repeatedly, `My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.' 24So he went with him. . . . . 35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, `Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?' 36But overhearing* what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, `Do not fear, only believe.’ . . . . 39When he had entered,
he said to them, `Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is
not dead but sleeping.' 40And they laughed at him. Then he put them
all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were
with him, and went in where the child was. 41He took her by the hand
and said to her, `Talitha cum', which means, `Little girl, get up!'
42And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was
twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43He
strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to
give her something to eat.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 944)
AM Psalm 41, 52; PM Psalm 44
Isa. 48:1-11; Gal. 1:1-17; Mark 5:21-43
Today we celebrate the Feast of John Chrysostom. (See below.)
David's Reflections
Episcopal priest Robert Capon has said, "Jesus came to raise the dead. The only qualification for the gift of the Gospel is to be dead. You don't have to be smart. You don't have to be good. You don't have to be wise. You don't have to be wonderful. You don't have to be anything...you just have to be dead. That's it." *
In today's Gospel, Jesus enters the room of an adolescent girl who had died and says, "The child is not dead but sleeping." From the perspective of resurrection, all death is temporary, all death is sleep. We lie down to rise again. Jesus' death proved to be temporary. However, in this reading, Jesus' hearers mocked him in incredulity, and he put them out of the room. The work of faith could now proceed without the distractions of unbelief.
We find ourselves surrounded by death and transience. Each day dies into darkness. Each meal ends. Our friends and loved ones sink into the invisible darkness of death. The polar ice caps melt. Rain forests vanish under the crush of human greed. Our holy desires and right intentions smother under the weight of our fears and our preoccupation with self. We bear the news of the war in the Ukraine and Gaza and fear for the innocent who suffer and the soldiers who die and are maimed.
Jesus entered the room and said to this unhearing child, "Little girl, get up!" And, immediately the twelve-year old arose and walked about. Hear those words of Jesus with your name in front of them today. "David, (substitute your name) get up." Invite Jesus into the chamber where you lie helpless. Allow him to take you by the hand and raise you up. Allow the energy of his saving love to loosen the shackles of grief and fear. Begin to believe that holy desire and intent can come to life and propel you forward into their fulfillment. Take the risk to believe that, surrounded by death and transience, you can see the unseeable; you can experience the difference resurrection makes. You can be set free and live.
Remember Capon's words: "Jesus came to raise the dead. The only qualification for the gift of the Gospel is to be dead. You don't have to be smart. You don't have to be good. You don't have to be wise. You don't have to be wonderful. You don't have to be anything...you just have to be dead. That's it." *
* Robert F. Capon, cited by William Willimon, sermon "Get Up," Duke
University Chapel, 6/29/1997.
Collect of the Day, Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 216)
Today we celebrate the Feast of John Chrysostom, bishop, preacher, liturgist, theologian (died 407 CE).
Collect of the Feast of John Chrysostom
O God, who gave your servant John Chrysostom grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all who proclaim your word such excellence in preaching, that all your people may be made partakers of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
Of the Holy Spirit
Almighty and most merciful God, grant that by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 252)
A Prayer for Light
Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight
fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we implore you of
your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of this
light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy
Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and
sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to
those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you
and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit
upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 5:21-43
21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat* to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. 22Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23and begged him repeatedly, `My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.' 24So he went with him.
And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years.
26She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that
she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27She had heard
about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his
cloak, 28for she said, `If I but touch his clothes, I will be made
well.' 29Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body
that she was healed of her disease. 30Immediately aware that power had
gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, `Who
touched my clothes?' 31And his disciples said to him, `You see the
crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, "Who touched me?" ' 32He
looked all round to see who had done it. 33But the woman, knowing what
had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him,
and told him the whole truth. 34He said to her, `Daughter, your faith
has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'
35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader's
house to say, `Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any
further?' 36But overhearing* what they said, Jesus said to the leader
of the synagogue, `Do not fear, only believe.' 37He allowed no one to
follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38When
they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a
commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39When he had entered,
he said to them, `Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is
not dead but sleeping.' 40And they laughed at him. Then he put them
all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were
with him, and went in where the child was. 41He took her by the hand
and said to her, `Talitha cum', which means, `Little girl, get up!'
42And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was
twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43He
strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to
give her something to eat.
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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