Jesus is the Lord of life
Listening to the Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Listening to the Word
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 and pressed upon 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 Jesus, “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.
Reflection
Jesus is the Lord of life. He knows and feels when "life" has come out of him, as seen from the two stories of today's Gospel. First, Jesus restored life to a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years and later to a twelve years old deceased girl. He not only has life and bestows it, but he knows the gift he offers and to whom he gives it.
This "knowing" is important because it makes the difference. The two women were considered impure, and therefore, untouchable; however, Jesus touched them and gave them life. Jesus' healing power goes beyond physical restoration, but it is a complete restoration of the person. He went beyond the Mosaic law of purity and gave true life to the two women.
Let us look at the scene full of strength and tenderness in which the Lord Jesus lifts the dead girl with his hand and with his voice. That word does not go to a dead person but to create life anew. And that outstretched hand has its spiritual sense too. The Law of Moses prohibited touching corpses, and whoever touched them was "unclean" for seven days (Numbers 19:11). But Jesus does not get dirty by touching the girl but cleanses her from the shadows of death.
Liturgical time
Writers
Fr. Patrick Abdul Fornah, SX
Fr. Thiago Rodrígues, SX
Rev. Martinus Zalukhu, SX
Fr. Joeven Matugas, SX
Fr. Luigino Marchioron, SX
Fr. Everaldo Dos Santos, SX
Fr. Valentin Shukuru, SX
Fr. Handrianus Masri, SX
Fr. Matteo Rebecchi, SX
Fr. Pasteur Mugisho Bisimwa, SX
Gospel Reflections

Allowing Jesus to Change Us

Who Is Jesus for Me? From Encounter to Mission












