Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24, Ps. 30:2,4-6,11-13, 2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15, Mark 5:21-43
“Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further? … Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’” (Mark 5:35-36)
Last Sunday, we read from Mark’s Gospel how Jesus told his disciples to enter a boat and cross to the other side, knowing that evening had come and that there would be a storm that night. Jesus, being such a wonderful teacher, wanted his disciples to have this experience to strengthen their faith in the face of very scary situations. In the panic, the disciples were surprised to see Jesus sleeping on the cushion, and when they woke Him, He said: “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” In today’s Gospel passage, we hear something very similar from the lips of Jesus; this time, He addressed the synagogue official whose daughter was feared dead: “Do not fear, only believe.” This brings us to our lessons for today:
1. Fear And Faith Do Not Mix
While fear is about expecting the worst, faith is expecting the best. When the disciples woke Jesus, they voiced their fear: “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” (Mark 4:38). If you want to know the extent of your faith, examine the kinds of words you use when speaking about your situation. The men from Jarius’ house said: “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” (Mark 5:35). This statement represents the fear that there are certain things God cannot do and the fear that prayers do not work in certain situations. Change how you speak about your situation. Apply faith in your speech. “Do not fear. Only believe.”
2. Fear Keeps Us In The Crowd; Faith Makes Us Stand Out
Fear is more popular than faith. All through the Gospels, those who had personal encounters with Jesus were those whose faith was strong enough to bring them out of the crowd. A great crowd gathered around Jesus, yet out of this great crowd, one man, Jairus, got Jesus’ attention when he fell at Jesus’ feet (prostrating himself in worship) while imploring Jesus to cure his little daughter. Again, while a great crowd was pressing around Jesus, one woman said to herself: “If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well.” (Mark 5:28). Her faith was so strong that power left Jesus instantly. Jesus asked: “Who touched me?” The disciples did not understand the question because there were hundreds of people around Jesus. Anyone could have touched Him, but not everyone had the faith to draw a miracle from Him. The church is packed full. Everyone is touching Jesus, but only those who touch with faith will go home with miracles.
3. Fear destroys us, and Faith heals and uplifts us.
After the woman had owned up about her action, Jesus said something very beautiful to her: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.” (Mark 5:34). This teaches us that Faith, by itself is capable of making us well. On the other hand, fear, which hides under the guise of negativity, only worsens our situation. When Jesus went to his hometown, the people there were so negatively minded towards Him that “He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:5-6)
4. Avoid Negative (Faithless) People
Upon getting to Jarius’ house, Jesus drove out those weeping loudly and speaking negatively. Mark tells us that Jesus put them all outside. The book of Hebrews tells us, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). If God is not pleased with us like these faithless sympathisers, He will push us outside. You cannot be friends with everybody. You cannot live your life on the opinions of everyone you meet. You must select those you listen to and ensure you push out discouraging voices as Jesus did. Those who laughed at Jesus when he said the girl was only sleeping did not come to sympathise; rather, they came to mock Jarius. Jesus put them to shame. Negative people delight in seeing you go down; they pretend to sympathise but are happy that things are not well with you. You don’t need such people. Clear your inner space and welcome Jesus by creating daily time for personal prayer and reflection. The healing only happened when Jesus was alone with the child and her parents.
5. Fear Makes Us Stingy and Self-Centred; Faith Makes Us Generous
In today’s second reading, St. Paul admonishes the Corinthians: “Now as you excel in everything, your abundance at present should supply their want…” (2 Corinthians 8:7-14). Generosity is a product of faith. We give because we believe that God will provide our needs and that, as Our shepherd, He will not let us lack. We give to others because we know that by so doing, we are giving to Jesus, who will ask us on the last day: “When I was hungry, did you give me food?” We give because we trust God. The widow at Zarephath was gathering sticks to make the last morsel of bread for her and her son, but with faith, she made some for Elijah. Her jar of meal did not run out, and her oil was never used. (1 Kings 17:8-15).
6. God Takes No Delight in the Death of the Living
Today’s first reading says: “God did not make death, and He does not delight in the death of the living.” In other words, it is not God’s will to see us sick, suffering or dying. God made us enjoy the best of what this life offers. Just as Jesus was merciful to Jarius, Jesus always gives a listening ear when we pray in moments of sickness and pain. Do not fear; only believe. Expect the best when you pray. Last Sunday, the disciples questioned: “Who then is this that even the winds obey him?” Today, they ask: “Who then is this that even death would release someone he had taken already?” Do not let your troubles make you doubt God’s power. That same Jesus who spoke to the winds and calmed the sea, who healed the woman with the issue of blood and raised Jarius’ daughter from death, is here right now. Call on Him, and He will answer.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, increase our faith, save us from faithlessness and negativity, and strengthen our prayer life so that our words may not contradict our beliefs. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24, Ps. 30:2,4-6,11-13, 2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15, Mark 5:21-43).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu