Gospel of Mark series: Chapter 3 Part 11 Jesus raises a young girl ( 5: 35-43)

Welcome to my Gospel of Mark Series. During 2012-13, each week, I will write a post about the Gospel of Mark as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark.  I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season of Year B.  In today's post, we explore chapter 5:35-43 which is Jesus raises a young girl.

This passage continue and concludes the story about Jairus and his young daughter at the point of death.  Here, as we noticed earlier, Mark uses his sandwich technique  by placing within this first story a second story about the sick woman in the crowd, who touches his clothes.  In this way Mark intentionally makes a close link between the two narratives.

In both stories, some is given new life by contact with the divine power brought by Jesus.  The older woman touches Jesus, the younger woman is touched by Jesus.  In both situations human efforts have failed, but Jesus brings new life, a sure sign that God’s power is being revealed in Him.

Notice how dramatically Mark tells the story, preparing us for the climax of the restoration of the young girl to life.  Jesus brings only three of His disciples with Him.  He sees the commotion from outside.  When he enters the house, He shuts out all but the family and his three disciples.  For Jesus, death is only a sleeping.

Despair has overtaken the house of Jairus when Jesus arrives.  he tells Jairus to keep trusting in God.  Then he goes into the house and stops the noise of traditional mourning.  His work needs faith not only in Himself but in those around.  He goes to where the death girl lies and restores life to her, and all wonder.

The episode ends with Jesus asking them to tell no one outside the little group of those who showed faith, and to give food to the girl.  

For Mark’s first readers, as for us today, the request of Jesus to give the girl food calls up images of the Eucharist which sustains all Christians in the new life given them by Christ in baptism.

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

• Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?
• Reflect on the keywords in this passage for they contain the substance and purpose of all the things Jesus said and did-
• Consider my relationship with Jesus  in the light of this Gospel passage.
• Try to feel what Jesu may have felt as the story unfolds in the brief words of Mark.
• Compare the touch that cured the young girl with the touch that cured the woman in the crowd?
• Try to share something of the feelings of the parents as their young daughter was dying?  
• Reflect on how Jesus has raised me to new life in my life?  What were these experiences and how did it impact on my life?
• How do I relate to this story of Jesus raising the young girl to life.  Make a list of areas in my life that need a change of heart and develop an action plan on how this change of heart might occur. (eg name an area and name one/two changes that you will implement with God's help.
• What impact does Jesus’ teaching have on you (5:34-43).
• How has this passage spoken to you- what does it say to you personally?