June 28, 2015
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
JUNE 27/28, 2015
Some people love crowds while others prefer small gatherings. The upcoming celebration of the Fourth of July on the esplanade in Boston appeals to the crowd lovers; while watching the fireworks on TV is more in tune with the others. Both types of personalities abound and suit the individuals.
Crowds of people around Jesus is one of the characteristics we see in St. Mark’s gospel writing. It seems wherever Jesus went people thronged to be near him but Jesus seems to navigate the crowds pretty well. And today’s gospel is a prime example of that.
Mark sets the scene with a large crowd greeting Him when he steps out of the boat. In the midst of all the people, two come forward who have very specific needs: Jairus, the synagogue official whose daughter is dying; and the woman who has suffered from hemorrhages for a long period of years.
You can just imagine the confusion of all those people trying to get near Jesus when the woman simply touches his cloak. Jesus feels healing power go forth and wonders to whom. In the midst of the chaos, the woman finds healing and her life is restored back to normal.
Then Jesus proceeds to Jairus’ house where He finds more people who are weeping and wailing at the death of the little girl. It says Jesus put them all out except her parents and his disciples. He then proceeds in bringing her back to life in spite of the commotion of the mourners.
Sometime we may think we are insignificant as just another human being. But Jesus shows today that even in the midst of the commotions and the dins of life, He listens to our needs and responds individually to each of us. We are not just a mass of humanity in God’s eyes; we are each of us, uniquely made and cared about by our God.
May that realization engender confidence and may we always turn to God in our need and trust that He listens and answers our prayers.