Eternal Life

Today’s Scripture:  And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Ja'irus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, 23 and besought him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." 24 And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him………..35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" 36 But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Tal'itha cu'mi"; which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42 And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. Mark 5:21-42

Reflection:  It is much easy to pray for ourselves and sometimes it may be still easier to pray for someone we love very dearly. In the Gospel we have an instance of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, who came pleading to Jesus to heal his daughter who happens to be seriously unwell.

An earnest prayer of an earnest heart never goes unanswered.  Our God cares for us and therefore he sent his Son Jesus into the world. How fortunate that Jairus has the actual presence of Jesus.  But if we look at Jairus with such envy we have much to lose. 

Why? If the actual physical presence of Jesus meant healing and raising of Jairus’s daughter then the absence of Jesus is healing and raising up those who believe unto eternity.  For this very reason the Gospel was not only proclaimed but also written. This we can experience even right now in a great mystical way, especially through the sacraments, which is an opportunity to live that presence of Christ here on earth.

Prayer:  Father, We thank you for revealing to us Christ the giver of eternal life. May I accept with faith what you have given us.

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