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Gospel Reading for January 30, 2024 – Mark 5: 21-43
TRULY STRONG
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd 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.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
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 inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 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.
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“Do not be afraid; just have faith.” It is said that the phrase “Do not be afraid,” is mentioned in the bible 365 times. Take note that there are 365 days in a year, except for leap year. Perhaps, God is saying this to us everyday. He keeps reminding us to not be afraid and just believe that he has all the power and has immense love for us, his creatures. Come to think of it, if he did not love us that much, why would he even bother to save us from sin? He would have just let us rot in hell. Why send his only Son who was made to suffer by those he came to save? Hence, wherever we are, whatever situation we are in, if our faith in God is TRULY STRONG, there will be no room for fear!
Let us ponder on this song, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS –
When you see the rising sun lighting up the sky,
know that I am giving you a brand new day.
When you see the chirping birds,
swaying trees and plants,
know that I’m the one who keeps them going.
When you see a gorgeous sunset,
bright as colors on a palette,
I’m the artist you have not seen yet.
When the ev’ning ends the day with
stars, the planets and the moon,
I am giving you the time to rest.
When you feel life burdensome,
dreams and hopes all gone,
feeling lonely and depressed
without a friend,
look around, I’m everywhere,
loving you, supporting you;
know that I am with you always.
Look around, I’m everywhere,
loving you, supporting you;
Know that I am with you always,
always, always!
