"Do Not Be Afraid; Just Have Faith"

~~~ Hebrews 12:1-4 ~~~ Psalm 22 ~~~ Mark 5:21-43 ~~~

 

When Jesus had crossed to the other side...

one of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him, Jesus, 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.”

...There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.

 “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”

 “Who has touched my clothes?”

 

“Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”

 

 

This story is included by Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Perhaps it is one of the most important messages about faith.

In this year of faith it is fitting that we should examine and reflect upon this gospel.

 

I invite you to spend some extra time with this gospel today.

Try to put yourself into the scene.

Look at how you exercise your faith.

 

Is it like the synagogue official Jairus?

Do you sneak over to the Lord in fear of reproach?

 

Is your faith more like the afflicted woman?

Do you believe when all else has failed?

Do you believe because someone else told you of his healing power?

Do you believe as a last resort? She was ill for twelve years.

 

 

Do you believe as a child?

She knew her father would do everything in his power to make her better.

The child, of twelve, may not have heard of this man called Jesus,

but her father knew of him.

Her father interceded on her behalf.

 

Do you wait for others to intercede on your behalf?

Is your faith pure like that of a child?

 

When did you begin to doubt?

How can you strengthen your own faith?

 

I do not have the answers each of you need today.

I look for examples of faith...

in others as well as in my own life.

Pay attention when you are exercising your faith.

It is a great gift we have been given.

We can actually believe that which we cannot see.

Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist every time we receive the bread and wine.

Be a Blessing to someone in need today.