Walking with Jesus: 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time B

For Sunday, June 30, 2024

Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24; 2 Corinthians 8:7,9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-43

I’m sure people ask you, as they do me, for prayers: in times of sickness, death of a loved one, serious tragedy; in family, business, and relationship problems. They do this because they sense that we are people of prayer. They are worried, frightened, panicky even. Their ultimate fear is separation … even death. We know that we are not miracle workers, but we do pray because we love. People seldom talk about death and I wonder how many have a realistic comprehension of what death is and how they can face death with faith. The bottom line: Life is forever with God in heaven, which Jesus promised for those who have faith, follow the commandments and live in love.

The readings today provide us with yet another meditation on Jesus. Last week we stood in awe of Jesus calming the fierce storm on the turbulent Sea of Galilee where the disciples were in fear of drowning and their own deaths. Today we see not only that Jesus has authority over the power of death, He also inspires us to pattern our lives, love and generosity after Himself. He is with us always and at the same time leading us closer to Himself and heaven.

In a few short verses in the Book of Wisdom, we get a glimpse of the author’s perception of the human person and standpoints on death and life after death. The Hellenistic view points out that the soul is indestructible and immortal: We see this in the Genesis account of creation and sin. God is forever and created all life, and God is in control. Wisdom opens: “God did not make death, nor does He rejoice in the destruction of the living.” [Wisdom 1:1] In making them in the divine image, God gifted human beings with life that is impervious to physical deterioration and death. Since God created life, the origins of death, which ends life, lie elsewhere — as we can see in the Cain and Abel story. Death is the final experience of the wicked who are allied with those forces that oppose God.

Psalm 30 is a song of thanksgiving for deliverance from the peril of death … the netherworld … the pit [v4]. This death could be from an illness, depression or any serious setback that threatens life. Whatever that might have been doesn’t exist anymore. God has saved the petitioner. Not only has the  person been saved, but also there are the “enemies around” who just relish when misfortune happens to an “enemy.” Grief and mourning have been turned into comfort and rejoicing. God cares and loves. God answers the petitions of those who cry out for help. Do I spend time in the “poor me’s,” or do I praise the Lord for His presence, care and love — the calling virtues of heaven?

Paul is telling the Corinthians, a community that is economically secure, to be mindful of God’s gifts and respond to the communities who are suffering. By sharing the charismatic gifts they have received, the Corinthians have excelled in love and caring ... and their faith is leading them closer to God and making them more devoted to the things of God. The example of Jesus — who became the poorest of the poor and responded in love — must be the motivation for all followers of Jesus and those called to discipleship.

Mark shares two miracle stories, both of which include descriptive examples of faith: ritual purity; the need to avoid sources of contamination, mainly the corpse; the questions of life and death; and the power of God in Jesus. The woman in one story and the girl in the other are both unnamed, suggesting that what happens to them is more important than their identities. Twelve years is both the time the woman has suffered and the age of the young girl, and their conditions have prevented them from contributing to their communities. The faith of the woman is in contrast to those gathered at the house of Jairus. At the center and heart of both stories is the question of faith in Jesus: Do you believe in Jesus and His power over sickness and death? Do I believe in Jesus? Do I listen to Him? Do I see that His way is the only way to heaven? Do I care about heaven? Faith is necessary. Am I a person of faith? Do I trust God? Do I live as Jesus showed us — which is the only way to heaven?!

So I reflect on:

• Am I a seeker of healing and wholeness for myself and those God places in my life? Do I feel I have first dibs? Do others not belong in the waiting line? Do I want them to stop bothering God because they’ll never make it — it's too late for many — they're too far gone? I’m not loving, I'm projecting.
• The Teacher wants to teach me about healing and wholeness. He’s gifted me to share … give … care; NOT hoard or stand in judgment. Be a good samaritan…the only way of love.

Sacred Space 2024 states:

“Jairus, a leader in the synagogue, pleaded for the healing of his daughter, who was at the point of death. He had to wait before his request was granted. May we have the faith of Jairus to beg for what we desire and the patience to wait for a response.

“An unnamed woman was courageous in approaching Jesus from behind. She knew what she wanted and was willing to risk touching Jesus. May we have faith to act on what we want and refuse to be deterred by the crowd from doing so.”