The 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B) presents to us the text from Mark 5:21-43. Please read the article "Faith, Life and Communion" and reflect on the following:
1. The new life that is transfused into the hemorrhaging woman and Jairus' daughter is similar to the new life we receive in baptism. It is the vitality of the Risen Christ that is given to us.
- Reflect
- The idea that our new life is a gift to us from the Risen Christ has been repeatedly shown to us during the past several Sundays. Can you point out how the idea was presented in the liturgy? (hint: during the Easter vigil, this was shown to us through different symbols: the water, the new fire, the Paschal candle. Enumerate some more instances.)
2. Blood gushing out of a woman causes her to be impure. Read Leviticus 15:19-30 and see how an issue of blood can become the cause of a woman's alienation from her home, family, friends and from Israel as a whole. The hemorrhaging woman has been impure and virtually "dying" for twelve years and all her resources have been wasted on doctors who could not cure her. faiImagine what kind of relief this healing causes her. "Your faith has healed you," said Jesus.
- Reflect
- In a world characterized by alienation, think how much faith in Jesus can accomplish.
3. The faith of Jairus was crucial for his daughter. Upon the news of his daughter's death, Jesus tells him: "Do not be afraid; only have faith." It was also faith that restores the little girl to life.
- Reflect
- In moments of illness or death, the Lord also tells us "Do not be afraid; only have faith." How can we bring this truth to families or individuals we know who are sick or who are grieving over someone's death?
- Jesus gathers the household around Jairus and whose faith is needed by the dead child.
Do you see here a "type" of the Christian household gathered around a member who is to be baptized, i.e. one in need of the life that comes only from Christ?
Do you not see here a 'type' of the Christian household gathered around a sick member and praying for his/her healing?
