Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; 2 Cor. 8:7,9, 13-15; Mk 5:21-43.
Take my Hand!
Last Sunday, we read about Job and his ordeal. We noticed that
God did not give Job any justification for his suffering. Instead, Job was
invited to see that suffering was within the mysterious design of the universe,
where losses, setbacks, sickness, brokenness, pains, and disappointments had
their place. The Book of Job addresses the problem of evil in the world created
by a loving God. In today’s first reading, we hear that “God did not
make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living…For God formed
man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him. But by the
envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who belong to his company
experience it.” When we choose to do our will over and above the will
of God, the source of our happiness, we choose death rather than life. Death is
a way of life without God.
On the other hand, John’s gospel shows us that Jesus is the Lord
of life. He tells us, “I came so that they might have life and have it
abundantly” (Jn. 10:10). He told Martha: “I am the resurrection and the
life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live” (Jn 11:25).
Jesus is always in the business of saving life. We are told that Jesus “Went
about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil.” (Acts
10:38). He restored sight to the blind, made the lame walk, raised the dead,
fed the hungry, and drove away demons and initiated a kingdom of love, justice,
and peace.
The gospel portrays Jesus’ generosity in healing the afflicted
and the willingness of the sick to seek his help. Because God will not do what
we can do for ourselves, it is important to reach out for help when we need it.
Jairus, despite being a synagogue official, humbly knelt before Jesus, pleading
for his sick daughter. Another person in the crowd was a woman who, due to her
social, economic, and religious status, was considered unfit to be in the
company of Jesus or in public. This woman had spent all her money on doctors.
She was ceremonially unclean due to her continuous flow of blood, making her
unable to enter any synagogue. She had to come into personal contact with the
healer to be healed, but doing so would defile him and nullify his healing
power. She was too afraid to ask Jesus for help, so she mustered the courage to
touch his garment, hoping she would be made clean. Her prayer was answered, and
she was instantly healed.
But then Jesus knew about the healing and demanded who the
beneficiary was. With fear and trembling, she confessed what she had done.
Jesus did not shame her but praised her courage and extolled her faith. The
Psalmist tells us to “call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver
you, and you shall glorify me.” (Ps.50:15). This reminds me of a story
about the power of Jesus to save. According to an old legend, a man became lost
in his travels and wandered into a bed of quicksand. Confucius, the Chinese
philosopher, saw the man’s predicament and said, “It is evident that
men should stay out of places such as these.” Brahma, one of the major
gods of Hinduism, came on the scene and said, “You suffer because of
your sins.” Next, Buddha observed the situation and said, “Let
that man’s plight be a lesson to the rest of the world.” Then Mohammad
came by and said to the sinking man, “Alas! It is the will of God.”
Finally, Jesus appeared. “Take my hand, brother,” He said, “and I will
save you.” The mercy of Jesus is always there for us if we will only
take his hand and allow him to heal us. For He has come “to seek and to
save what was lost.” (Lk. 19:10).
Saint Paul reminds us that Jesus’s generosity should inspire us to be generous. In the second reading, Paul appeals for help for the suffering poor in Jerusalem. He encourages us to be gracious to others, following Christ’s example of selfless giving, who sacrificed his life for the salvation of all. Yet, Paul emphasizes that individual disciples should give as they feel moved to, without compulsion. Jesus generously gives us everything, even himself, and invites us to seek him in all our troubles. As we sing, “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide, the darkness deepens Lord, with me abide, when other helpers fail, and comforts flee, the help of the helpless, oh abide with me.” May the Lord meet us in our times of need, take our hands, and raise us, just as he did with Jairus’ daughter. Amen.
Rev. Augustine
Etemma Inwang, MSP
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