First Reading – Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24;
Second Reading – 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15;
Gospel – Mark 5:21-43
The virtue of faith and the necessity of faith is the dominating theme of today’s readings. Faith is our personal response to a God who continues to reveal himself to us and invites us to recognize his holiness and beauty. Bible shows us the ways in which God reveals himself to human persons and invites him to respond in faith. Every situation in the world presents a very great contrast between human powerlessness in the face of sickness and death on the one hand, and the striking force of faith on the other. We are in a constant relationship with a God of wonder who transforms us, heals us and removes our pains and transforms them into joy. Faith works miracles and there are the thousands of small miracles that no-one notices them except those concerned. Certainly, people are aware of the work of the power of God in human situation. In this rational world we need the spiritual insight to recognize the working of these miracles. But faith is there like a small seed which when planted in the human heart grows slowly to yield fruit. Today’s readings invite us to reflect on how profoundly faith influences our view of the world and our actions.
Here, we have an unusual combination of two miracle stories, one contained within the other – a healing, and a restoration of life. These miracles were worked by Jesus as rewards for the trusting Faith of a synagogue ruler and of a woman with a haemorrhage. Though the ruler may have trusted Jesus out of desperation, and the woman’s Faith may have been a bit superstitious, even their perhaps defective Faith was amply rewarded. The stories have several common features. One woman is 12 years old, and the other has suffered for 12 years. Both are called “daughter,” and both are in need ofphysical healing. The girl’s father is encouraged to have Faith, and the older woman is praised for her Faith. The two stories illustrate Jesus’ power over both chronic illness and death. In each healing, Jesus shows God’s marvellousgenerosity by giving the recipients life and salvation in addition to physical healing.
The faith-experiences of Jairus and the sick woman: Jairus: As the ruler of the synagogue, Jairus was a well-respected man in the local Jewish community. His need and the helplessness of the situation prompted him to forget his position, to swallow his pride and prejudice, and to seek help from Jesus the wandering wonderworker. The woman with a haemorrhage: The account tells of a woman who came to Jesus with expectant Faith as a last resort, after trying every other cure known in her day. The Mosaic Law (Lv 15:25-27) declared her unclean and shut her off from the worship of God and the fellowship of her friends. That may be why she decided to try to touch the tassels of Jesus’ garment secretly.
The Faith that was rewarded: The woman’s boldness in touching Jesus’ garment — which, according to the Law, made Jesus unclean — could have angered the Master. By affectionately calling her “daughter,” Jesus established a relationship with her and gave her the assurance that she was healed: “Daughter, your Faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” In addition, she gained a personal relationship with Jesus as a member of Jesus’ family (3:35). By trusting in the power of God and doing His will, she was not only physically cured but was also fully restored to a normal religious and social life. It was her brave touching of “Jesus’ garment” that was a major factor in her healing. The Faith that brought back life from death: As Jesus sent the woman to her house, Jairus received the shocking news of the death of his daughter. But Jesus insisted on going to Jairus’ house and consoled the father saying, “Do not be afraid; only have Faith.”
We need to accept God’s call to health, wholeness, and holiness. Jesus accepts us as we are. Hence, let us bring our bodily illnesses and spiritual wounds to Jesus for healing. We should pray for healing which will give us spiritual and physical health in every aspect of our lives, so that we may function in perfect harmony with the Will of God, with the people around us, and with the environment. As Christians, we believe that Jesus continues to heal us through human instruments in the medical profession, like doctors, nurses, and medical technicians. Hence, when we go to a doctor, we need to offer a prayer to Christ, the Divine Healer, that we may choose the right doctor, who will make the correct diagnosis, prescribe the correct treatment, and give us the correct medicine. Let us not forget the truth that, over, above, and beyond the ability and skill of the greatest human healer, Christ still works wonders of healing. Let us also thank God for the great gift of health and use it for helping those who are sick.
We need to continue the healing mission of the Church: As members of the Church, we are not excused from our vocation to be healers. When a friend of ours is terminally ill, the skill of the doctors and their advanced medical tools often become powerless. What the patient needs in such a situation is our care, concern, and prayerful presence, enabling them to experience through us the love, compassion, and mercy of Jesus. We do our share of Christ’s healing mission by visiting the sick, by praying for their healing, and by boosting their morale through our loving presence, encouragement, support, and inspiration.
We need to have trusting Faith in the mercy and Divine power of Jesus: The primary condition for the effectiveness of our prayer is our Faith in the goodness and mercy of God. Such a Faith is possible only if we remain related to God through prayer, the Sacraments, and a meditative study of the Bible. Every day we should say a fervent prayer of thanksgiving to God for the gift of active Faith. Let us keep in mind this wise piece of advice given by St. Ignatius of Loyola: “We must work as if everything depends on us, but we must pray as if everything depends on God”