Gospel Reading: Mk 5:21-43
21When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing [Jesus] he fell at his feet 23and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” 24He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him, and pressed upon him.
25There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. … 27She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” 29Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. … 35While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” … 41He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” 42The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded.
43He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.
DO NOT BE AFRAID; JUST HAVE FAITH
The Gospel relates two healing stories: of a 12-year-old girl who is gravely ill (and later dies) and of a woman who has been afflicted with hemorrhages for 12 years. The healings take place in different ways: the first is through the intercession of the girl’s father Jairus, a Jewish official; the second is by the initiative of the sick woman herself who believes that if she touches Jesus’ clothes she will be made well. In both cases, faith is manifested:
Jairus comes, kneels before Jesus, and pleads earnestly with him; the woman goes through the crowd to touch Jesus’ cloak. Jesus does not disappoint them. Their requests are granted.
“Your all-healing word, O Lord!… For you have dominion over life and death” (Wis 16:12b-13a).
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
