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Jesus is on mission. Jesus had been teaching by the sea near his home when he crossed to the other side (Mark 4:35) where he healed the man “possessed by Legion” (Mark 5:15). He returns to the other side and stays close to the sea, where he had been teaching before, and a large crowd gathered around him (Mark 5:21).
This is when Jairus approaches Jesus, falls to his knees, and pleas with him to come and heal his daughter who is at the point of death. Jesus goes off with Jairus and a large crowd follows him and presses “upon him.”
Then, the “woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years,” approaches Jesus, believing “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” She is healed. Jesus asks, “Who touched my clothes?” His disciples point out how the crowd is pressing all around him. Jesus asks again, “Who touched me?” The woman approached “in fear and trembling,” and told him “the whole truth.” “Daughter,” Jesus responds to her, “your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
While Jesus is still speaking, people tell Jairus his daughter has died. Jesus dismisses the message and then encourages Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” Jesus leaves the crowd to go to Jairus house – with just Peter, James, and John. He dismisses the weeping and wailing. “The child is not dead but asleep.” They mock him. He puts them out and, with Jairus, his wife, and the disciples, goes to the child, and takes her hand. “Little girl, I say to you, rise!” Immediately she rose and started walking around. He gave them “strict orders” not to tell anyone and that the young girl “should be given something to eat.
Jesus is on mission. He is the reign of God’s love, salvation and justice. He is also teaching his disciples what being on mission looks like – teaching, crossing to the other side, casting out demons, healing the sick, seeing faith, replacing fear with faith, raising the dead, keeping somethings to themselves, and feeding those who are hungry.
Hunter Farrell, in his book Freeing Congregational Mission, tells the story when he was a young missionary in Africa. The village needed a well for water. He did all the research on what it involved, how it would be paid for, and the benefits to the village. He was so excited when he approached the chief to lay out his plan. The chief said no. Rather, they would have a party. And then, during the party, the chief talked to the people about the well and its benefits. Everyone was for it. Then he gave permission to begin the well.
Faith is the foundation of mission. First and foremost, it is faith in Jesus. He is the who, the how, when and the why of mission. Second, we need to see, and trust, the faith of others. Even when we are distracted by the “press of the crowd,” we need to see the hand reaching out to touch Jesus.
First Reading
Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24 – God is God of the living. We have being. We are imperishable because we are made in “the image of his own nature.” The father of death is envy.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 30:2+4, 5-6, 11-12a+13b — We praise God for his salvation, his rescue from “the netherworld,” and a lifetime of enjoyment of God’s “good will.”
Second Reading
2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15 — We need not horde our abundance nor fear our poverty. When we have a lot, give it to those who have little. When we have little, trust in the generosity of others who have more.
Gospel
Mark 5:21-43 — Two powerful healing stories – the cure of the “woman afflicted with hemorrhages” and the raising of Jairus’ daughter – and the essential role of faith in our salvation.
Notes and Commentary by Don McCrabb, D. Min.,
USCMA Executive Director
Please pray for the missions.
May God bless you in all the ways you Go Forth…
Don retires from USCMA on June 30, 2024
after serving for nine years as our executive director.
Consider donating in his honor.