His Word Today: Pleading for others

Good morning everyone,

There is a wonderful thing that happens when God is at work: seeing evidence of joy - in the life of the demoniac who is cured, in the blind man whose sight is restored, in the leper who is cleansed, in the sick who are healed ... -  others are captivated and live in hope of experiencing this joy in their own lives.

This is the case in today's gospel, where we meet one of the synagogue officials who has perhaps heard about Jesus' ability to heal the sick and the possessed.  Jairus has recognized something special about Jesus.  He comes to him, falls at his feet and pleads earnestly with him (Mk 5:22). The anxiety is evident in his voice as he pleads his case:  My daughter is at the point of death.  Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live (Mk 5:23). It's not difficult to understand how distraught Jairus must have been.  Even the hope that Jesus might be able to do something to help his daughter would have been enough to motivate him to go in search of help.

When a parent has to tend to a sick child, when that child is so sick that there seems to be no hope, the parent(s) will do anything to restore the child to health. We can imagine what that encounter with Jairus was like.  Jesus looked into his face and saw the panic in his eyes.  What did Jairus see in Jesus' face? ... warmth, welcome, compassion and hope?  I'd like to think he did ... and then Jesus went off with him (cf Mk 5:24).  Along the way, word arrives that Jairus' daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer? (Mk 5:35).  These are the words of someone who believes that somehow human beings can define limits for God's goodness, for love and concern for his beloved children.  Jesus did not stop and turn away that day, as though he would be powerless to help the child.  Instead he continued, encouraging the grieving father: Do not be afraid, just have faith (Mk 5:36)

Jesus walks with us at all moments of our lives.  Sometimes we are aware of his presence and sometimes we aren't, but he is always there, encouraging us with these same words: Do not be afraid, just have faith.  If we can come to believe in this truth, we will soon find that we are indeed captivated by Jesus and able to live in hope of experiencing the joy that he freely shares in our own lives.

Have a great day.