Have Faith

06-27-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Both stories in our Gospel today are related. It tells about the theme of faith, the power of belief in Jesus, and the advantage of knowing Him. It is also about despair and the effect of having faith in Jesus. Jairus, a synagogue official desperate because his daughter is at the point of death. Jairus heard so many things about a miracle worker who has power both in words and deeds. He desperately sought Jesus; He is his last recourse. The hemorrhaging woman is in the same situation, having gone to many doctors without success; her last recourse is this man they call Jesus. Both showing great faith in Jesus received what they wished for: the hemorrhaging of the woman finally stopped, and the dead daughter of Jairus, raised to life.

The hemorrhaging woman makes her technically an outcast in her community. The continuous flow of blood makes her ritually unclean. Mark describes her boldness and faith: If I but touch His clothes, I shall be cured. In her desperation, she went and touched the cloak of Jesus. After her cure, Jesus engaged her in a conversation making sure she got everything good. It was not through the magic that cured her but rather her faith in Jesus. Imperfect though it was, her crude faith, plus the power that comes from Jesus, finally put a stop to her hemorrhaging. Her touch was the expression of a belief that Jesus is the only one that could cure her. The touched means she believed. (St. Augustine, InIoanis Evangelium, 26,3)

The other story is about Jairus and his daughter. An official in the synagogue, Jairus must have reached the point of desperation to seek the intercession of Jesus for his daughter. Desperate, He overcomes the first obstacle of his status, swallows his pride for his daughter, who is at the point of death. Setting aside his social position, he begs Jesus to come and cure his daughter. The reward of his faith and patience Jesus' raising his daughter to life. The raising of the girl from the dead, although public knowledge, happened in private. Only the three (3) disciples of Jesus and the parents of the girl were present.

The main lesson of the two stories, the healing and the raising of the dead want to tell us that in times of hopelessness or despair we ought to strengthen our faith in the power of Jesus. Jesus says: I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. (Mt. 17:20) There are many instances in everyday life, where we witness the power of faith or belief. We can accomplish or overcome things that we thought to be too difficult and even impossible.

Our world wants to operate only on verifiable facts, figures, and fortunes. The Gospel is telling us: have faith, a message to all, to parents, to families, to politicians, or to those who have money and power in their hands. It is a message hard to relate to and to understand. The Gospel we proclaim is, and should be, a Goodnews. So that, when we are weak, helpless, and desperate, and realize that nothing and no one can heal us, or we are desperately in need of healing, we know that God is there, always there. Do not let our pride, our foolish pride cloud our need for God.

Jesus took aside only Jairus, and the three disciples when He entered the room and raised the girl back to life. This particular action of Jesus tells us the importance of community faith, aside from our faith. Yes, let us draw strength, encouragement, and inspiration from one another. We make our journey to the heart of God, not alone, but with our community of faith, with our fellow believers. Lastly, remember that God desires our healing, our wellbeing, and our happiness, have faith in Him.