The Healing Power

We hear in Mark’s Gospel today about the miraculous healing of not one but two people.
The first – a 12 year old girl. A man named Jairus approaches Jesus and in front of a large crowd falls at His feet and begs Him to come lay his hands on his daughter so that she might live.

This certainly can be seen as a courageous act – Jairus, who we are told was a synagogue official – would have known the “official” position and opinions held by the Sanhedrin concerning this Jesus – and we can be certain that those weren’t good – but Jairus didn’t care – in front of a large crowd of witnesses he falls on his knees and begs Jesus for his help.

His actions could very well have put his position as a synagogue official in jeopardy – but he doesn’t care – Jairus, you see was more than a synagogue official – he was a father – and his daughter was dying and he was desperate.

Certainly parents here today can easily relate to his desperation over his child – how many of us anguished in a similar way over our children.

Obviously Jairus had heard about Jesus – obviously he loved his daughter – and he was going to do whatever it took – even if he had to risk his position – to save his daughter. While on their way to his house though – we are told that his servants come and tell him that his daughter has already died and that there is no need to trouble the “teacher” any longer.

But Jesus says to him as he does to all parents today – do not be afraid – have faith.

We know the rest of the story – Jesus goes to the house, there is a lot of commotion – people weeping and wailing – but He says to them that the child is not dead – that she is only sleeping. And they ridiculed him – because they knew, they had seen that she was dead.

And in the back of our minds – his words echo – do not be afraid – have faith. Jesus takes the child by the hand and tells her to get up and she does.

You have to wonder – who really was healed that day – was it the little girl – I think not – I think it was Jairus and those that witnessed the power of faith – the power of God.
Jesus speaks though His word today to all parents who anguish over their children – do not be afraid, have faith.

Pray for your children, bring them spiritually to the Father and have faith – for if we parents, sinful as we are, worry about the salvation of our children how much more, does our heavenly Father worry about them.

We must do what we can to teach our children about our faith – but in this culture today we may not always be able to reach them – we must keep trying and we must trust in the Lord – we must have faith – though our actions and our words we must demonstrate to the world that we believe we are saved and that God can and does work miracles in the lives of those who are dead to the world – just like that little girl was, just like some of our children may be – perhaps not physically dead but more importantly spiritually dead.

The second healing that takes place in Mark’s Gospel also emphasizes the importance of faith and the power of God.

A woman who has suffered for 12 long years – who has seen many doctors and tried many remedies – perseveres in her affliction – she doesn’t give up – she courageously reaches out to Jesus believing that if only she can touch His clothes that she will be healed – and indeed she is.
Jesus we are told was surrounded by a crowd of people who were pressing in on him – imagine how many others that day touched or bumped Him – they weren’t healed though were they – just like today – many people come into contact with Jesus – they hear His Word spoken in the Gospels, they receive Him – body blood soul and divinity in the Blessed Sacrament – but I tell you – they aren’t healed.

There is an incredible difference in touching Jesus in faith and in just touching Jesus. Many touch Jesus not expecting anything to happen and nothing does.

But the woman in our Gospel today touched Jesus for a reason and with confidence – she wanted to be helped, she expected to be helped and she was helped.

The difference between those people who just bump into Jesus and those who reached out to Him – is faith, confidence, perseverance and trust.

The questions we have to ask ourselves today is – do we have the courage to have faith and do we have the faith to express that courage?

The power of God to heal is there it is abundant and surrounds each of us – all we have to do is believe.

God bless you.