LET US TOUCH JESUS' TASSEL WITH A FAITH IMBUED WITH ACTIONS. (Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24; 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mk 5:21-43)
By REV. FR. PAUL ANIGBORO
These are hard and difficult times in our country. In June alone, several evils and deaths were recorded in our country Nigeria. Fulani herdsmen hasn't stopped killing and the inferno in Lagos is still being talked about. It's as if the culture of death has overpowered us in this country and to make it worse, our leaders are apparently silent in it all. Many are loosing hope, some have lost it already, some are still hopeful. What do we do as Christians? Loosing hope is surely not an option. Today's readings become very apt to our current situation as a country. It talks about the gift of life, both physical and spiritual that God has given us.
The first reading , taken from the Book of Wisdom, tells us that God gave us life and health, and that it was the jealousy of Satan which produced illness and death. In the second reading, St. Paul asks the Corinthian Christian community to show to their impoverished, suffering Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem the kindness and compassion which Jesus expressed in his healing ministry. Today’s Gospel describes two of our Lord's miracles, the healing of a woman who suffered from a chronic bleeding disease and the returning of the dead daughter of Jairus to life.
There is this popular saying, "health is wealth." To be healthy is to be alive. Most times when we celebrate birthdays, there is always a prayer attached to the wishes, which is to live long in good health of mind and body. Sickness can be worrisome and it can bring depression and loss of hope. We can only imagine the kind of pain and suffering these two persons went through.
In the case of the woman with haemorrhage. She has been down for 12 years and she has gone from one place to another yet without cure but she even got worse. The Jewish tradition forbids a woman with flow of blood to mingle with people in public places to avoid touching people, because whoever she touches in her state becomes unclean. She was in a state of perpetual shame and total separation from the community. Jarius, a ruler of the synagogue, and a well-respected man in the local Jewish community. He was on the verge of loosing his daughter, probably his only daughter. Being a ruler in the synagogue, he could probably be part of the Pharisees group that sees Jesus as heretic. But in this desperate times, he had to abandon his belief and seek Jesus the wonder-worker for healing.
In these two persons, we believe that desperate times demands desperate steps and solutions. They both had to abandon their societal image and look for God. They both had to abandon the shame and what people will say to seek solution to their problems. In both of them we see a faith that is imbued with actions. A faith that seeks Jesus. A faith that invites Jesus. A faith that insists. A faith that is hopeful. A faith that believes. A faith that is calm. A faith that is true. A faith that is not selfish. A faith that is genuine and truthful.
This is the kind of faith we need as Christians and in our country Nigeria. It is not enough to kneel down and pray to God, we need to stand up and do the right thing. We need to put our faith into action. We need to challenge those in authorities about what they are doing. We need to speak up. The woman and Jarius did not just sit down and pray in their houses, they did more by looking for Jesus.
Let us remember that no matter how terrible any situation can be, God has an answer to them all. Let us not loose faith. Let's be hopeful and courageous even in difficult times. God gat us.
Lord, grant us a lively faith that stands firm always. Grant us good health of mind and body. As we have begun the 7th month of the year, protect us from all evils and bless all we shall do. Amen.
Good morning and do have a restful Sunday. Happy new month. God loves you.
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