Wis 1:13-15;2:23-24
Because God did not make death,
nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.
For he fashioned all things that they might have being,
and the creatures of the world are wholesome;
There is not a destructive drug among them
nor any domain of Hades on earth.
For righteousness is undying.
For God formed us to be imperishable;
he image of his own nature he made us.
But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world,
and they who are allied with him experience it.
Second Reading
2 Cor 8:7.9.13-15
Now as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this glorious act also.
For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your surplus at the present time should supply their needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality.
As it is written:
"Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less."
Gospel Reading
Mk 5:21-43 (Mk 5:21-24. 35-43)
When Jesus had crossed again (in the boat) to the other side, a large crown 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.
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 except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogues official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them. 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.
The Word in other words
Suffering and death are painful realities which we are all afraid of. Have you ever prayed so hard for the healing of someone who is sick and has been suffering for so long? Have you ever pleaded God for the life of your dying father? In such a desperate situation, did your faith in God waver or did it remain solid?
The gospel today presents two miracle stories of Jesus. Here Jesus first raises a dead girl and then heals a sick woman. The gospel also shows us two ways of expressing the faith: in secret and in public. Jairus went to see Jesus and, in full view of the large crowd., fell at his feet and asked for the healing of his daughter. On their way home, they received the news that the girl had died. In spite of that, Jairus never wavered in faith in Jesus. Upon reaching home, Jesus raised the dead girl to life. Then, the woman who was suffering from hemorrhage for twelve years approached and touched Jesus in secret, trusting in His power to heal. Jesus cured her and then sought to speak with her. With that contact, the woman gained confidence to dialogue with Jesus without hiding herself anymore from Him.
Read again the gospel for today. Feel the pain and despair of Jairus and the woman. Remember your own pains and fears. Look at the faith of Jairus and the woman and examine your faith in Jesus. Is your faith unwavering like that of Jairus, timid like that of the woman, or at times so little like that of the disciples? We cannot escape from suffering and death, but we can hope for the healing and the fullness of life because of our faith!
