Attitude Required

Today’s Gospel Text:  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. 25 And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well." 29 And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who touched my garments?" 31 And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'" 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

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. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. Mark 5:21-43

Reflection: O yea! How we love to see wonderful and magical happenings and we may go out of our way to see such phenomenons and yet there could a better one in our own neighborhood which we may never observe or miss out on. 

The dramatic appearance of Jairus and his falling at Jesus’ feet and beseeching him to come and heal his daughter may have drawn the attention of the many that were there and this may have attracted a great crowd to follow Jesus to the house of Jairus to see another of the miracle performed by Jesus.

But in the meanwhile, while Jesus was on his way, there was another more marvelous miracle, concerning an ordinary lady, about to take place. This woman appears to have been unassumingly simple and ordinary. 

The crowd almost missed it and we too could miss out on the great beauty of this miracle. 

There are many factors which makes this miracle a marvel:

She had gone to many physicians and was treated by many, and what is more, she had spent all her life savings in getting herself treated.  There was no question of losing hope as she had not lost her grits.

Modern medical science would immediately discern that she must have been anemic and weak. She may have been at her daily work with great determination despite the many aches and pains due to lack of quality blood in her system.

Such faith is not possible unless it is received in faith from above. Did she pray for the many years and now, more so, since her coffers were empty?  She seems to have shown a rock solid faith and trust in God; the only hope for this woman?

If there is anything we can learn from this woman then it is this: do not wait for sickness to trust God and do not seek to see the signs and wonders but be practical and active in believing in the one who is able to save us.

Rest is history as she touches the hem of his garment!

Prayer:  Lord, increase our faith that we may trust you in all situations and circumstances.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us