Mark 5:21-43
21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 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.”
24 So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 He looked all around to see who had done it.33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
35 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?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 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. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Double touches beyond prohibitions
St. Mark continues to portray Jesus' personality through His powerful miracles.
We need, once more, to remember the context of this Sunday's Gospel.
Two females are the main people in this event. One is Talitha (young girl), whom Jesus found dead and, according to Biblical rules, He has no right to touch. The second is a mature woman who suffers from a hemorrhage disease for twelve years. She has the Biblical order to stay isolated from crowds.
Talitha's father is a prominent personality. He is a leader of the Synagogue who was among those that protested against Jesus performing miracles on the Sabbath day, but he couldn't deny Jesus' authority and divine power. He could be among those whose tongues are against Him, but their hearts love Him and ask for His favors.
Both fall down in Jesus' presence, the Synagogue leader begging Jesus to intervene for his daughter's healing, and the second after she obtains Jesus' mercy and is healed.
Both cases describe the condition of people who suffer from serious illnesses and are subject to:
Lack of hope and self-control;
Loss of certainty about their personal and social identity; and
Loss of their resources and capacity to perform productive tasks.
Jesus' compassion exceeds human rules and restrictions, He goes with the leader of the Synagogue to bring back earthy life his daughter. He says "Talitha Cumi" and the girl stands—healthy, safe and sound.
Jesus stops after the healing of the bleeding woman who crossed the limits of Biblical prohibitions. Instead of reprimanding her, He calls her "daughter" in v. 34.
Jesus is absolutely aware and willing to share His powers of love, compassion and healing—"a power went out of Him" v. 30.
Encounter mural at Magdala by the Sea of Galilee.
Two miracles are performed by Jesus on the same day and in the same way. He restores, heals and offers new life for both women, one thanks to her father's faith and the second, thanks to her personal faith.
In your time of reflection, meditation and prayers, today's Gospel invites you to:
Give God a chance in your life, in both joyful and difficult events;
Keep walking with Jesus' without fear and don’t lose faith, even when realities in life seem frustrating and hopeless. “Do not fear, only believe” v. 36.
When we carry a heavy and painful cross, keep your eyes on Jesus' Cross as a vibrant spring of strength. Trust in His mercy. Remain patient and trustful that the Lord is coming in His right time. Praise the Lord for His Presence, healing love and power.