The Gospel of Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and 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.” So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.” 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?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And 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. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Let us Pray: Dear Father, thank you for the compassion and healing you give us in Jesus! Thank you for your grace, mercy, and steadfast love! Give us the understanding and desire to share these wonderful gifts with others, especially those who need them the most. This we pray in your name Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
The readings for today can be viewed as a spiritual wake-up call. They ask us to refocus and ensure we are living a life of faith. We often find ourselves pulled in countless directions and sometimes forget our common calling to become righteous servants of God. Therefore, the readings remind us we must continually place faith in God and trust his guidance in our daily lives. Today we are relearning what it is like being in a crowd. We cannot be oblivious of others around us. But in today’s world we still have to be careful of how we are in crowds. A lot of people touched Jesus that day in that crowd, but only the woman got his power after the touch. So, what unlocks his power? Just this, personal need of a savior and the yearning hands of faith. That is all this woman had. And that is all she needed. So many in the crowd that day were just excited about what Jesus might do for others. This woman was desperate for what he could do for her. That’s the difference. It is the difference between seeing Jesus as spectacle and seeing Jesus as Savior. Until you understand your personal need for Jesus, his power will be withheld from you. But when you come to the end of your rope, when you come to him with the yearning hands of faith, desperate for salvation, his power races toward you. Additionally, we can be alarmed by someone in that crowd who acts ill. Maybe they have the virus that is contagious. Maybe we are at risk. We don’t know. Fortunately, things are improving. They may be others who are different from us, and we wonder if we are safe. We see someone different from us. Are they suspicious in our minds because they cause fear? Or does some strange behavior or vocal sounds by a person with developmental disabilities or a profoundly deaf individual create some fear in us? We need to learn to see what Jesus sees. We need to know He sees us and knows our thoughts and fears. He knows our thoughts but as we listen, he speaks of mercy, and we work to hear what He is saying. As we listen, we can feel our fears put to rest and our spirits are feeling His healing power and our faith grows, as Jesus showed mercy to the sick lady, we need to show mercy to those who are different or afflicted. It can be a new day, a day where even though things may seem indifferent, we can start anew. So, if all you have is need, that is fine with Jesus. In fact, it’s all he’s asking for. And don’t worry that you think you might be interrupting Jesus as He continues to wait for you to ask. Isn’t that the grace of God? Jesus is saying to us all, “If you need me, come to me.” And right now, as every one of us is on a faith journey we need to touch Jesus so we can experience the presence and the healing power of Jesus.
Let us pray: Holy Father we know that there is much, these days, that chips away at the kind of life Jesus wants for us. Whether it is has to do with physical ailments, interpersonal relationships, or internal pain and anguish, Jesus reveals himself to us as one who cares very deeply; one who wants us not just to be free of what ails us, but also to be filled with what brings us true life; eternal life.; one who wants us not just to be free of what ails us, but also to be filled with what brings us true life; eternal life. This we pray in your name. Amen
Reflections by Bob 