Memorial of
Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Lectionary: 324
Lectionary: 324
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| Mk 5:21-43 |
Brothers and sisters:
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith.
For the sake of the joy that lay before him
Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame,
and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,
in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith.
For the sake of the joy that lay before him
Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame,
and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,
in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
Responsorial
Psalm Ps 22:26b-27, 28 and
30, 31-32
R. (see 27b) They will praise
you, Lord, who long for you.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
“May your hearts be ever merry!”
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the LORD;
All the families of the nations
shall bow down before him.
To him alone shall bow down
all who sleep in the earth;
Before him shall bend
all who go down into the dust.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
And to him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve him.
Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
“May your hearts be ever merry!”
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the LORD;
All the families of the nations
shall bow down before him.
To him alone shall bow down
all who sleep in the earth;
Before him shall bend
all who go down into the dust.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
And to him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve him.
Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
Gospel Mk 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again
in the boat to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and 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.”
He went off with him
and a large crowd followed him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to him,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, Who touched me?”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and 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.”
He went off with him
and a large crowd followed him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to him,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, Who touched me?”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.
www.usccb.org
Meditation:"Jesus
said, ‘Who touched me?’"
Do you approach
the Lord Jesus with expectant faith or with skepticism and doubt? People in
desperate or helpless circumstances were not disappointed when they sought
Jesus out. What drew them to Jesus? Was it hope for a miracle or a word of
comfort in their affliction? What did the elderly woman who had suffered
greatly for twelve years expect Jesus to do for her? And what did a grieving
father expect Jesus to do about his beloved lost daughter? Jesus gave hope
where there seemed to be no human cause for it because his hope was directed to
God. He spoke words of hope to the woman (Take heart, daughter!) to ignite the
spark of faith in her (your faith has made you well!).
A 4th century
church father, Ephrem the Syrian, comments on this miracle: “Glory to you,
hidden Son of God, because your healing power is proclaimed through the hidden
suffering of the afflicted woman. Through this woman whom they could see, the
witnesses were enabled to behold the divinity that cannot be seen. Through the
Son’s own healing power his divinity became known. Through the afflicted
women’s being healed her faith was made manifest. She caused him to be
proclaimed, and indeed was honored with him. For truth was being proclaimed
together with its heralds. If she was a witness to his divinity, he in turn was
a witness to her faith...He saw through to her hidden faith, and gave her a
visible healing.”
Jesus also gave
divine hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child. It took considerable
courage and risk for the ruler of a synagogue to openly go to Jesus and to
invite the scorn of his neighbors and kin. Even the hired mourners laughed at
him in scorn. Their grief was devoid of any hope. Nonetheless, Jesus took the
girl by the hand and delivered her from the grasp of death. Peter Chrysologus,
a 5th century church father comments on this miracle: “This man was a ruler of
the synagogue, and versed in the law. He had surely read that while God created
all other things by his word, man had been created by the hand of God. He
trusted therefore in God that his daughter would be recreated, and restored to
life by that same hand which, he knew, had created her...He who laid hands on
her to form her from nothing, once more lays hands upon her to reform her from
what had perished.”
In both
instances we see Jesus' personal concern for the needs of others and his
readiness to heal and restore life. In Jesus we see the infinite love of God
extending to each and every individual as he gives freely and wholly of himself
to each person he meets. Do you approach
the Lord with confident expectation that he will hear your request and act?
"Lord Jesus, you love each of us
individually with a unique and personal love. Touch my life with your saving
power, heal and restore me to fullness of life. Help me to give wholly of
myself in loving service to others."
www.dailyscripture.net
 Touched by Faith |
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Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr
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Mark
5:21-43
When Jesus had
crossed again (in the boat) to the other side, a large crowd gathered around
him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named
Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and 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." He went off with
him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him. There was a woman
afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the
hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped
but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the
crowd and touched his cloak. She said, "If I but touch his
clothes, I shall be cured." Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She
felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once
that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked,
"Who has touched my clothes?" But his disciples said to him,
"You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ´Who
touched me?´" And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman,
realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She
fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her,
"Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your
affliction." While he was still speaking, people from the
synagogue official´s house arrived and said, "Your daughter has died;
why trouble the teacher any longer?" Disregarding the message that was
reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; just
have faith." He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except
Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house
of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and
wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, "Why this
commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." And they
ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child´s father and
mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha
koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" The
girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. (At that) they
were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, who should I turn to first but
you? You have given me another day. This gift calls me to come to you first,
to hear you first. My faith tells me there can be nothing better than to
follow your plan; my hope is to bring you into my life and to other people;
my love wants to be fuller and better — it wants to be like yours, Lord.
Petition: Grant me the grace of deeper trust and faith
in all moments of hardship.
1. “…afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.” When problems
are prolonged, or reach fever-pitch levels, we can get the mistaken
impression that God has lost interest. Somehow he seems no longer moved
by our misery. All the signs say he has forgotten us, abandoned us and
left us hanging.
But God is only seemingly absent. He is creating a new set of circumstances wherein we can experience him at a wholly new level. The long, hard and persevering fight to walk in hope enables God to bring about greater fruits of holiness in us. In the woman with the hemorrhage and in Jairus, father of a dying daughter, we must contemplate a mature and vibrant faith, observing how it conquers pessimism and transcends the cold calculations and superficial tones of their peers. Truly this is the first miracle we see that Jesus has worked for them, and the most important one.
2. “And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out.” The dismal voices of
his “friends” come to the father. Though they have seen the miracle of the
woman with the hemorrhage, they coldly say, “Your daughter is dead. Be
realistic. It is no use to go on.” True, in the name of realism, we can
dismiss hope and cooperation with Christ’s action in our life. We can
ridicule Christ whenever he wants to work in mystery and outside our human
limits. We can be tempted to abandon trust in God in the name of reaffirming
control over our world. “Let’s be realistic,” we say. “It will never work.”
These phrases veil a weak faith, a poor faith, a sterile or
compartmentalized faith that works only when everything makes sense to us,
when everything is easy. Where there is this lack of faith, Christ
cannot work.
3. “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Many say they are
near Christ, yet few are acknowledged by Christ as close to him. Many were
brushing against him that day, many were verbally praising him, many were
serving him, but only one touched him and got his full attention. Why? Only
one made an act of unconditional faith. What is the secret? How can we really get his attention, truly speak to his heart?
None are closer than those who trust him, who humbly
depend on him, and who wish to live from him. The woman’s unconditional faith
was open to whatever would happen, whatever would be Christ’s response.
Those who suffer and support themselves patiently with faith and prayer
experience new levels of union with Christ.
Conversation with Christ: Lord let me use hardships to build
newer levels of trust and intimacy with you. Open my heart to seek you on
your terms.
I do not ask you for happiness or sorrow, Health or sickness, Riches or poverty, Freedom or slavery, Goods or evils; For goods are misfortunes if you do not come with them, And misfortunes are goods if they arrive with you. For goods without you, what good would they be? And misfortunes with you, are they not the best goods?
Resolution: I will acknowledge the presence of
Christ in all the difficulties of today.
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www.regnumchristi.com
TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 5
MARK 5:21-43
(Hebrews 12:1-4; Psalm 22)
KEY VERSE: "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust" (v 36).
READING: In the midst of a busy day of ministry, Jesus received two urgent requests for healing. The first came from Jairus, an official of the local synagogue who pleaded with Jesus to come to his house and heal his critically ill daughter. While Jesus was on his way, a woman with a hemorrhage followed him, hoping to be cured. Although her condition prohibited her from having contact with anyone in public (Lv 15:19), she reached out in desperation, touching one of the four tassels on the hem of Jesus' outer garment. These tassels (Hebrew, tzi-tzit) reminded Jews of their duty to obey the laws of the covenant (Num 15:38-40). In an instant, a surge of power went out from Jesus and the woman was healed. Jesus assured the frightened woman that her faith had made her whole. At that moment, Jairus was informed that his daughter had died. Jesus told the distraught father not to be afraid, but to have faith. When they arrived at Jairus' home, Jesus sent the mourners away and entered the house. Taking the little girl by the hand, he raised her to new life. The child was twelve years old, the marriageable age of a girl at that time, and the same number of years that the woman was afflicted by a hemorrhage. Jesus restored both to fullness of life.
REFLECTING: When I need healing, do I plead like Jairus or do I reach out in silence like the unnamed woman?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to encourage others to come to you for healing without fear.
MARK 5:21-43
(Hebrews 12:1-4; Psalm 22)
KEY VERSE: "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust" (v 36).
READING: In the midst of a busy day of ministry, Jesus received two urgent requests for healing. The first came from Jairus, an official of the local synagogue who pleaded with Jesus to come to his house and heal his critically ill daughter. While Jesus was on his way, a woman with a hemorrhage followed him, hoping to be cured. Although her condition prohibited her from having contact with anyone in public (Lv 15:19), she reached out in desperation, touching one of the four tassels on the hem of Jesus' outer garment. These tassels (Hebrew, tzi-tzit) reminded Jews of their duty to obey the laws of the covenant (Num 15:38-40). In an instant, a surge of power went out from Jesus and the woman was healed. Jesus assured the frightened woman that her faith had made her whole. At that moment, Jairus was informed that his daughter had died. Jesus told the distraught father not to be afraid, but to have faith. When they arrived at Jairus' home, Jesus sent the mourners away and entered the house. Taking the little girl by the hand, he raised her to new life. The child was twelve years old, the marriageable age of a girl at that time, and the same number of years that the woman was afflicted by a hemorrhage. Jesus restored both to fullness of life.
REFLECTING: When I need healing, do I plead like Jairus or do I reach out in silence like the unnamed woman?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to encourage others to come to you for healing without fear.
Memorial of Agatha, virgin and martyr
Little is known about St. Agatha, a martyr, who has been honored since ancient times, and whose name is included in the canon of the Mass. Young, beautiful and rich, Agatha lived a life consecrated to God. When Decius announced the edicts against Christians, the magistrate Quinctianus planned to blackmail her into having sex with him in exchange for not charging her. After rejecting Quinctianus' advances, she was beaten, imprisoned, tortured, and her breasts were crushed and cut off. She was near death when an earthquake stuck. In the destruction, the magistrate's friend was crushed, and the magistrate fled. Agatha thanked God for an end to her pain and died. Legend says that carrying her veil (taken from her tomb in Catania) in procession has averted eruptions of Mount Etna. Her intercession is reported to have saved Malta from Turkish invasion in 1551.
www.daily-word-of-life.com
They
will praise you, Lord, who long for you
The faith shown by this woman is an inspiration to all of us. Hers was a quiet, private faith. She did not need Jesus to acknowledge her, nor did she need to make a big point of approaching him. She had such faith that a simple touch was enough.
Today’s gospel raises the question as to whether our faith is as pure as that woman’s. The idea of being cured in such a simple way can seem not proper and yet this is one of the best known stories of healing in the Bible. May we seek to develop a relationship with our God that is as pure and gentle.
www.churchresources.info
February 5
St. Agatha
(d. 251?)
St. Agatha
(d. 251?)
As in the case of Agnes,
another virgin-martyr of the early Church, almost nothing is historically
certain about this saint except that she was martyred in Sicily during the
persecution of Emperor Decius in 251.
Legend has it that Agatha, like Agnes, was arrested as
a Christian, tortured and sent to a house of prostitution to be mistreated. She
was preserved from being violated, and was later put to death.
She is claimed as the patroness of both Palermo and
Catania. The year after her death, the stilling of an eruption of Mt. Etna was
attributed to her intercession. As a result, apparently, people continued to
ask her prayers for protection against fire.
Comment:
The scientific modern mind winces at the thought of a volcano’s might being contained by God because of the prayers of a Sicilian girl. Still less welcome, probably, is the notion of that saint being the patroness of such varied professions as those of foundry workers, nurses, miners and Alpine guides. Yet, in our historical precision, have we lost an essential human quality of wonder and poetry, and even our belief that we come to God by helping each other, both in action and prayer?
The scientific modern mind winces at the thought of a volcano’s might being contained by God because of the prayers of a Sicilian girl. Still less welcome, probably, is the notion of that saint being the patroness of such varied professions as those of foundry workers, nurses, miners and Alpine guides. Yet, in our historical precision, have we lost an essential human quality of wonder and poetry, and even our belief that we come to God by helping each other, both in action and prayer?
Quote:
When Agatha was arrested, the legend says, she prayed: “Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am—you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil.” And in prison: “Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit.”
When Agatha was arrested, the legend says, she prayed: “Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am—you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil.” And in prison: “Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit.”
Patron Saint of:
Breast disease, against
Foundry workers
Nurses
Breast disease, against
Foundry workers
Nurses
www.americancatholic.org
Lectio: Mark 5, 21-43
Lectio:
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
help us to love you with all our hearts
and to love all men as you love them.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
on God, for ever and ever. Amen.
help us to love you with all our hearts
and to love all men as you love them.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
on God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 5, 21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other
side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lake. Then the
president of the synagogue came up, named Jairus, and seeing him, fell at his
feet and begged him earnestly, saying, 'My little daughter is desperately sick.
Do come and lay your hands on her that she may be saved and may live.' Jesus
went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.
Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she had spent all she had without being any the better for it; in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up through the crowd and touched his cloak from behind, thinking, 'If I can just touch his clothes, I shall be saved.'
And at once the source of the bleeding dried up, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. And at once aware of the power that had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?' His disciples said to him, 'You see how the crowd is pressing round you; how can you ask, "Who touched me?"' But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. 'My daughter,' he said, 'your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free of your complaint.'
While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the president of the synagogue to say, 'Your daughter is dead; why put the Master to any further trouble?' But Jesus overheard what they said and he said to the president of the synagogue, 'Do not be afraid; only have faith.' And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the house of the president of the synagogue, and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, 'Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.' But they ridiculed him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child's father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, 'Talitha kum!' which means, 'Little girl, I tell you to get up.' The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At once they were overcome with astonishment, and he gave them strict orders not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she had spent all she had without being any the better for it; in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up through the crowd and touched his cloak from behind, thinking, 'If I can just touch his clothes, I shall be saved.'
And at once the source of the bleeding dried up, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. And at once aware of the power that had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?' His disciples said to him, 'You see how the crowd is pressing round you; how can you ask, "Who touched me?"' But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. 'My daughter,' he said, 'your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free of your complaint.'
While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the president of the synagogue to say, 'Your daughter is dead; why put the Master to any further trouble?' But Jesus overheard what they said and he said to the president of the synagogue, 'Do not be afraid; only have faith.' And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the house of the president of the synagogue, and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, 'Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.' But they ridiculed him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child's father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, 'Talitha kum!' which means, 'Little girl, I tell you to get up.' The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At once they were overcome with astonishment, and he gave them strict orders not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
3) Reflection
• In today’s Gospel, we meditate on two miracles which
Jesus worked in favour of two women. The first one for a woman who was
considered impure because of the haemorrhage which she was suffering from for
the past 12 years. The other one, for a girl, twelve years old, who had expired
a short time before. According to the mentality of the time, anybody who would
touch the blood or a corpse was considered impure. Blood and death were factors
of exclusion! Because of this, those two women were marginalized persons,
excluded from the participation in the community.
• The starting point. Jesus arrives in the boat. The people join him. Jairus, the head of the Synagogue, asks help for his daughter who is dying. Jesus goes with him and the people accompany him, pushing on all sides. This is the starting point of the two cases of healing which follow: the cure of the woman and the resurrection of the 12 year old girl.
• The situation of the woman. Twelve years suffering from haemorrhage! For this reason she lived excluded, because at that time, blood rendered persons impure, and the one who touched them became impure also. Mark says that the woman had spent all she had with doctors. And instead of becoming better, she got worse. A situation without a solution!
• The attitude of the woman. She heard people speak about Jesus. Hope sprang in her. She told herself: “If I can just touch his clothes, I will be saved”. The catechism of the time said: “If I touch his cloak, he will become impure”. The woman thinks exactly the contrary! This is a sign that women did not agree with all this that religious authority taught. The woman gets in through the crowd, in the midst of the people, and without being noticed, she touches Jesus, because everybody touched him and pushed him. At that same moment she noticed in her body that she had been cured.
• The reaction of Jesus and that of the disciples. Jesus also aware of the power that had gone out from him asked: “Who touched my clothes?”. The disciples said to him: “You see how the crowd is pressing round you; how can you ask, who touched me?” So here appears the clash between Jesus and the disciples. Jesus had a sensibility which the disciples did not perceive. The disciples reacted like everybody else and they did not understand the different reaction of Jesus. But Jesus did not pay attention and continued to investigate, to inquire.
• Healing through faith. The woman became aware that she had been discovered. It was a difficult and dangerous moment for her. Because according to the belief of the time, an impure person, who like herself got in among the people, contaminated everyone who touched her. And all would become impure before God (Lv) (Lk 15, 19-30). For this reason the punishment was the possible stoning. But the woman had the courage to assume the consequences of what she had done. But the woman “frightened and trembling” fell at Jesus’ feet and told him the whole truth. Jesus says the last word: “My daughter, your faith has restored you to health, go in peace and be free of your complaint”.
(a) “Daughter”, with this word Jesus accepts the woman into the new family, into the community, which was gathering together around him. (b) What she thought became a reality. (c) Jesus acknowledges that without the faith of that woman, he would not have been able to work the miracle.
• The news of the death of the little girl. At that moment some people arrived from the house of Jairus to inform him that his daughter had died. It was no longer necessary to disturb Jesus. For them, death was the great barrier. Jesus will not be able to overcome death! Jesus listens, looks at Jairus, and applies what he had just seen, that is, that faith is capable to realize what the person believes. And he says: “Do not be afraid, only have faith!”
• In Jairus’ house. Jesus allows only three of his disciples to go with him. Seeing the commotion of the people weeping and wailing because of the death of the child, he said: “The child is not dead, she sleeps!” People around laughed . People know how to distinguish when a person is sleeping and when the person is dead. It is the same laughter of Abraham and of Sarah, that is of those who are unable to believe that nothing is impossible for God (Gn 17, 17; 18, 12-14; Lk 1, 37). For them also, death was a barrier which nobody could overcome, go beyond! The words of Jesus had a very profound meaning. The situation of the persecuted communities at the time of Mark seemed to be a situation of death. They had to hear: “She is not dead! You are sleeping! Wake up!” Jesus does not pay attention to the laughter and enters into the room where the child is, alone, with the three disciples and the parents of the child.
• The resurrection of the child. Jesus takes the child by the hand and says: “Talita kum!” She rises. Great commotion! Jesus keeps calm and asks that they give her something to eat. Two women are cured! One is twelve years old, of life, the other one twelve years of haemorrhage, twelve years of exclusion! The exclusion of the child begins at twelve years of age, because her menstruation begins, she begins to die! Jesus has the greatest power and resurrects: “Get up!”
• The starting point. Jesus arrives in the boat. The people join him. Jairus, the head of the Synagogue, asks help for his daughter who is dying. Jesus goes with him and the people accompany him, pushing on all sides. This is the starting point of the two cases of healing which follow: the cure of the woman and the resurrection of the 12 year old girl.
• The situation of the woman. Twelve years suffering from haemorrhage! For this reason she lived excluded, because at that time, blood rendered persons impure, and the one who touched them became impure also. Mark says that the woman had spent all she had with doctors. And instead of becoming better, she got worse. A situation without a solution!
• The attitude of the woman. She heard people speak about Jesus. Hope sprang in her. She told herself: “If I can just touch his clothes, I will be saved”. The catechism of the time said: “If I touch his cloak, he will become impure”. The woman thinks exactly the contrary! This is a sign that women did not agree with all this that religious authority taught. The woman gets in through the crowd, in the midst of the people, and without being noticed, she touches Jesus, because everybody touched him and pushed him. At that same moment she noticed in her body that she had been cured.
• The reaction of Jesus and that of the disciples. Jesus also aware of the power that had gone out from him asked: “Who touched my clothes?”. The disciples said to him: “You see how the crowd is pressing round you; how can you ask, who touched me?” So here appears the clash between Jesus and the disciples. Jesus had a sensibility which the disciples did not perceive. The disciples reacted like everybody else and they did not understand the different reaction of Jesus. But Jesus did not pay attention and continued to investigate, to inquire.
• Healing through faith. The woman became aware that she had been discovered. It was a difficult and dangerous moment for her. Because according to the belief of the time, an impure person, who like herself got in among the people, contaminated everyone who touched her. And all would become impure before God (Lv) (Lk 15, 19-30). For this reason the punishment was the possible stoning. But the woman had the courage to assume the consequences of what she had done. But the woman “frightened and trembling” fell at Jesus’ feet and told him the whole truth. Jesus says the last word: “My daughter, your faith has restored you to health, go in peace and be free of your complaint”.
(a) “Daughter”, with this word Jesus accepts the woman into the new family, into the community, which was gathering together around him. (b) What she thought became a reality. (c) Jesus acknowledges that without the faith of that woman, he would not have been able to work the miracle.
• The news of the death of the little girl. At that moment some people arrived from the house of Jairus to inform him that his daughter had died. It was no longer necessary to disturb Jesus. For them, death was the great barrier. Jesus will not be able to overcome death! Jesus listens, looks at Jairus, and applies what he had just seen, that is, that faith is capable to realize what the person believes. And he says: “Do not be afraid, only have faith!”
• In Jairus’ house. Jesus allows only three of his disciples to go with him. Seeing the commotion of the people weeping and wailing because of the death of the child, he said: “The child is not dead, she sleeps!” People around laughed . People know how to distinguish when a person is sleeping and when the person is dead. It is the same laughter of Abraham and of Sarah, that is of those who are unable to believe that nothing is impossible for God (Gn 17, 17; 18, 12-14; Lk 1, 37). For them also, death was a barrier which nobody could overcome, go beyond! The words of Jesus had a very profound meaning. The situation of the persecuted communities at the time of Mark seemed to be a situation of death. They had to hear: “She is not dead! You are sleeping! Wake up!” Jesus does not pay attention to the laughter and enters into the room where the child is, alone, with the three disciples and the parents of the child.
• The resurrection of the child. Jesus takes the child by the hand and says: “Talita kum!” She rises. Great commotion! Jesus keeps calm and asks that they give her something to eat. Two women are cured! One is twelve years old, of life, the other one twelve years of haemorrhage, twelve years of exclusion! The exclusion of the child begins at twelve years of age, because her menstruation begins, she begins to die! Jesus has the greatest power and resurrects: “Get up!”
4) Personal questions
• Which is the point in this text which pleased you or
struck you the most? Why?
• One of the women was cured and once again integrated so that she could live in the community. A child was raised from her death bed. What does this action of Jesus teach us for our life in the family and for our community today?
• One of the women was cured and once again integrated so that she could live in the community. A child was raised from her death bed. What does this action of Jesus teach us for our life in the family and for our community today?
5) Concluding Prayer
Of you is my praise in the thronged assembly,
I will perform my vows before all who fear him.
The poor will eat and be filled,
those who seek Yahweh will praise him,
'May your heart live for ever.' (Ps 22,25-26)
I will perform my vows before all who fear him.
The poor will eat and be filled,
those who seek Yahweh will praise him,
'May your heart live for ever.' (Ps 22,25-26)
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