Bless the Lord, O my soul and all within me, his holy name.

The gospel today shows Jesus power over sickness and death. The story of the woman with hemorrhages demonstrates great faith because she tried every remedy without success. The story of Jairus and his daughter demonstrate also great faith on the part of a religious leader. Most religious leaders oppose Jesus, but Jairus comes as a believer. The story shows Jesus dealing with people of different social standing. Jairus is well-to-do and influential. The woman is financially impoverished, but Jesus does not favor one over the other. In both stories, competent authorities have proven that no remedy is possible. For 12 years, the woman spent all her money on physicians and their best remedies failed. Both Jairus and the woman show considerable faith in Jesus. Upon meeting Jesus Jairus, a prominent member of the Jewish religious community, the gospel tells us, fell at the feet of Jesus.

He pleaded saying, my daughter is near death. Please come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live as a man of authority. Jairus must be concerned for his image, but to seek help for his daughter. He must set aside all pride. Jesus went with Jairus and on the way, the woman with hemorrhages came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched his cloak because she believed if she just touched his clothes, she would be cured. The gospel tells us immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt she was healed of her affliction. Jesus felt power go out from him and asked, who touched my clothes? The woman confessed and Jesus said to her, daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction. Note the relationship of faith and healing.

The power by which Jesus heals is God's power. The faith of the individual is important in receiving the blessing of the healing. But always remember, faith must be present. What? The miracle does not occur. People from Jairus, his home arrived and said, your daughter has died. Why trouble the teacher any longer? Jesus saw people weeping and crying. Alerting the community to the death and signifying grief. But Jesus said to Jairus. Do not be afraid. Just have faith. Jesus told the people, the child is not dead, but asleep. And as the gospel tells us, they ridiculed Jesus. Jesus took Peter, James, and John. The child's mother and father and entered a room where the child was. Jesus took the child by the hand, and he said “Talitha Koum” in Aramaic, meaning little girl I say to you, arise again.

Mark is very emphatic. He says. Immediately she arose and walked. Jesus gave orders that no one should know this. Remember what Jesus had said at one time. He only reveals to crowds what they are prepared to understand. A leper Jesus had healed at one time proclaimed openly that Jesus had healed him, and people overwhelmed him from everywhere.

It appears here that Jesus were looking to make a very silent exit. But the story of Jairus, his daughter, is more than a healing. It is a resurrection.

 

Homily begins at 20.47