July 01, 2012
13th Sunday Ordinary Time
It is not easy coming to Jesus. Jairus, the synagogue official, approaches Jesus, a teacher, folk healer and an itinerant preacher. The woman with a hemorrhage is unclean and therefore unable to worship at the temple or have contact with others in community. But they come to Jesus breaking convention, praying for healing -- Jairus for his daughter who is critically ill; the unnamed woman for herself. They each do a “Tebow†– drop a knee/fall down before Jesus burdened with worry and fear. The words of Jesus are important. Jesus says to the woman after she touches his garment and steps forward in fear: “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace.†Jesus says to Jairus: “Do not be afraid, have trust.†Jesus says to the little girl: “Little girl, arise.†We hear in the words of Jesus divine empathy. Jesus is the Word of God. Words are so very important. In the last Harry Potter book and movie, Headmaster Dumbledore says to Harry: “Words (in my not so humble opinion) are the most inexhaustible source of magic both capable of inflicting injury or remedying it.†He goes on to say to Harry: “At Hogwarts, help will always be given to those who ask …who deserve it.†Today may we be more conscious of our words to heal or to harm. May we come to Jesus like Jairus, like the woman and like the little girl, with a request for help, healing and hope.
Previous:
Birth of St. John the Baptist
