Twelve and Twelve

~~~ Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~~ Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 ~~~ 

~~~Psalm 30 ~~2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15~~ Mark 5:21-43 ~~~

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

I have written here on this blog
many times about this Gospel story.
It is one of my favorites.

This story has something for everyone...
man, woman, adult, child, young, old,
lengthy illness, sudden illness,
military, civilian and much more
than I even realize today.

The story begins with Jairus coming to Jesus on behalf
of his own daughter who has taken ill.

He risked a great deal by stepping
away from the military protocol.

In the crowd was the woman with the blood issue.
She had lived her last twelve years as an outcast...unclean.
She was not allowed to associate with others.
She also risked a great deal by mingling
with the crowd on the street that day.

Perhaps she felt that she could get lost
within the crowd and gradually work her way close enough
 to reach the hem of Jesus' garment.

She had no idea that Jesus would be able to detect the power
 of healing releasing from his body.

The soldier had no way of knowing that the very call
from the lips of Jesus would restore life to his daughter.

 “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”

The little girl of twelve had her whole life ahead of her.
The adult woman had been suffering for twelve years.
She had lost twelve years of her life.

The soldier interceded for his daughter.
The woman came to Jesus on her own behalf.

God recognizes and responds to our faith.
He also reminds us that there is no need
 to have fear when we have our faith.

Faith will sustain us when fear is trying to weaken our spirit.

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

This verse is important for us today.
No matter what you are facing in your life today
the faith you have in God is stronger.

Blessed in times of greatest need.
~~~Peace~~~