READ SCRIPTURE (Mark 5:21-43)
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw Jesus, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." So Jesus went with him.
And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, "If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well." Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, 'Who touched me?'" Jesus looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."
While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?" But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." Jesus allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. Jesus took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha cum," which means, "Little girl, get up!" And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. Jesus strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
REFLECT ON THE READING
The Gospel according to Mark continues to be the book of secret epiphanies. We see God’s life-giving presence revealed, but in what seem to be secret places. Hidden in a fleeting touch amid a crushing crowd, locked away in room with only a few other people, and concealed by Jesus’ own command to tell no one, we see God’s power to heal and to raise the dead—the very steadfast love of the Lord that never ceases. Just so, the hope for life was hidden in the cross. Also at the cross, Jesus was mocked. Also in his death by crucifixion, Jesus was made unclean. But this hidden one is now raised from the dead himself: present to our assemblies and present in our open reading of these stories. We all are the hemorrhaging woman. We all are the dead girl and the grieving parents. He calls our assemblies to attend to the suffering of women and to respect any whom society marginalizes, just as he did. By the power of the Spirit in the eucharist we all together are given something to eat, food for life. Out of the poverty of Jesus comes our enrichment with a wealth that may now flow from us to others who have been waiting in silence with their bleeding needs.
PRAY TOGETHER
Almighty and merciful God, we implore you to hear the prayers of your people. Be our strong defense against all harm and danger, that we may live and grow in faith and hope, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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