O God who through the grace of adoption,
chose us to be be children of the light,
Grant us we pray,
that we may not be wrapped in the darkness of error,
but always be seen in the bright light of truth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,
who lives with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
- Why I have received the grace of adoption?
- What does it mean to be an adopted child of God?
- What are the areas of darkness of error that I am presently wrapped in?
- Why s truth described as a bright light?
- How does the image of the bright light of truth sit with my life?
- What is my plan for this coming week to grow in the Year of Grace?
Both
stories are of cures that no human power could work. In different ways
they each reveal the greatness of the power that is made present to
people in Jesus, a power so divine and yet so available to people with
faith in God.
Our
attention is drawn to an important man in the great crowd that gathers
around Jesus after his arrival in the boat. He is one of the leaders of
the synagogue in that place, yet he comes to Jesus in great humility to
beg him to come and touch his dying daughter. At once Jesus goes with
him followed by the crowd.
Then
our attention is shifted to a woman in the crowd. She has been
hemorrhaging for twelve years, perhaps since her puberty, which would
make a woman in her early twenties. With such an illness, marriage
would be impossible, and by the Jewish blood taboo she should not appear
in public. Much less should she touch another person. Secretly she comes to Jesus and touches him. Jesus feel power going out of him and the woman feels healing. Being
human, he need to ask who has be cured by the divine power passing from
him. He does not accuses the woman for breaking the law, but praises
her for the faith that drew divine power from Him.
Before continuing with the rest of the Gospel you 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.
- Imagine standing on the shore of the lake and watch Jesus arrive in the boat. Look at Him as He steps from the boat and watch the crowd gather.
- Reflect on the scene of the woman needing healing. What risk are you prepared to take to receive healing from Jesus?
- Try to share something of the desperation of Jairus for his young dying daughter and the humility he had to ask Jesus. What is my inner need of healing and what is my disposition to ask Jesus for healing?
- What healings has the power of Jesus given me in my life? What was my experience of the power of Jesus in these incidents/events.
- How do I relate to this story of Jesus healing the woman. 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 (5:21-34.
- How has this passage spoken to you- what does it say to you personally?
Then we continue with the rest of the Gospel as 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.
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?
May you receive the grace of healing in your life this coming week and be able to offer it to other s in His name.
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