“Do not be afraid … Have Faith … Go in Peace”

As we approach the end of June, the life of the Church seems to have relaxed after all the intense preparations during Lent, and the joy and excitement of Easter and Pentecost, we fall comfortably back into the “ordinary times”. Just when we are about to “chill” from all the apocalyptic warnings about end times and stories about Jesus’ sacrifices and suffering, we are, once again, reminded of the unfathomable breadth, width, and height of God’s love in this week’s readings.

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, we have the privilege of witnessing not just one, but two miracles; both of which reveal the mysterious life of God - the God of justice, fidelity, and most of all, unconditional love. The miracles happen in tandem with each other, revealing the immense depth and width of God’s mercy, as well as our mission as children of God, through the actions and words of His Son, Jesus. In the story, there are two primary players, a synagogue official and the other an outcast, a “woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years” (Mk 5:25). While one is a man who holds office in the synagogue, a highly respected and powerful position, the other is a woman, without any title, prestige, and power. Indeed, one cannot be more different from the other as day and night; however, both are healed by their faith. Jairus, the synagogue official, boldly walks up to Jesus and pleads “earnestly” for the healing of his daughter. The woman who is afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years, perhaps too ashamed to approach Jesus, resolves to remain silent and hide in the crowd, content with only touching Jesus’ clothes. “Immediately her flow of blood dried up … she was healed of her affliction” (Mk 5:29). All around her, the large crowd continues to press upon Jesus while He and Jairus are probably still talking with each other. Her healing happens quietly without an audience. At least that’s what she thinks. While Jesus is on his way to Jairus’ house, He becomes aware that “power [has] gone out from him” and asks, “Who has touched my clothes” (Mk 5:30)? The woman, now exposed, is left with no option but to approach Jesus “in fear and trembling”; she falls down before the Healer and confesses. Instead of reprimanding her, Jesus commends her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction” (Mk 5:34). Not only is she healed physically but also spiritually! Indeed, as the Psalmist proclaims, God has “changed [her] mourning into dancing” (Ps 30:12). All her pain, loneliness, and shame have been wiped clean; she has received the gift of peace.

Jairus’ journey to healing has its twists and turns, too. While still some distance from his house, he is told that his daughter has died and that he should not “trouble the teacher any longer” (Mk 5:35). Jesus, sensing Jairus’ despair, said, “Do not be afraid; just have faith” (Mk 5:36). Jesus is not just saying it, He means it! Often, it is fear that stands between us and God; between doubts and faith. Like Jairus and the woman, we must take courage and choose faith. Just as the woman is healed by her faith, Jairus’ daughter is revived by the perseverance of Jairus’ faith. We may conclude that two healings have occurred here: the daughter’s and Jairus’ heart.

Such stories demonstrate the “gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ” that is rooted in love (2Cor 8:9). Whether one is rich or poor, powerful or powerless, Jesus heals without discrimination. In addition, St. Paul encourages us that “as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also” (2Cor 8:7). Jesus, though “he was rich”, becomes poor for our sake (2Cor 8:9). He walks among the poor and the sick and lets his power flow out of him when needed. He understands our fear and despair; so He tells us “do not be afraid” (Mk 5:36). Jesus has laid out the roadmap for us to do the same for others. The Book of Wisdom reminds us that we are “formed to be imperishable” and are made in “the image of [God’s] own nature” (Wis 2:23). We do have the power and responsibility to uplift each other, so that “there may be equality”: “Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less” (2Cor 8:14-15). When we make sacrifices in the name of Jesus, we store up true treasures in heaven. When we willingly die with Christ, we may also rise with Him: “Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Rm 6:4).

God is, indeed, just and faithful who loves us unconditionally. Like the woman who is afraid to approach Jesus directly, may we take courage to believe and hang on to our faith. Jairus, whose faith is shaken when people tell him not to trouble Jesus any longer, enters his daughter’s room with Jesus anyway. He heeds Jesus’ words, “Do not be afraid” and “have faith”, and subsequently experiences two healings, his daughter’s and himself (Mk 5:36). When we feel weak and hopeless, let us cry out to Jesus, “help my unbelief” (Mk 9:24). With faith, let us go in peace to love God and serve each other.