The mother beamed as her young daughter auditioned with a great love song. Another mother nearby murmured at the strange notes the daughter was coming up with. The proud mother said, “She got her voice from me.” The other mother said, “You were very lucky to get rid of it.”

    The Gospel today tells us about a woman who was healed from her sickness after twelve years of pain and suffering; and a little girl who was raised back to life by Jesus’ power.

    Jairus, a synagogue official falls at the feet of Jesus and begs for his help. His courage and, his trust in Jesus, comes from his feeling of helplessness. Jesus says nothing, promises nothing but goes along with Jairus to his home. On the way, Jesus encounters a woman who had been suffering from an incurable haemorrhage, an affliction which makes her and anyone who touches her, ritually unclean. Her last hope was to approach Jesus who wants to cure not just her sickness but her whole being. He makes her stand up in front of the crowd and be acclaimed for her trust, be acclaimed for her cleanliness, so that she would no longer feel hopeless and insecure. “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” The faith of the sick woman effects her cure. Similarly, the faith of the synagogue official brings back to life his dead daughter.

    Christ possesses divine power that is stronger than any evil inimical to us. He can heal the sick, raise the dead, forgive sins and promise everlasting life to those who believe him. The definitive proof of his divinity is his triumph over his own death, three days after his crucifixion.

     Mark and the other evangelists write about the miracles of Christ not because they simply want to hand down a good story to future generations. They have witnessed these miracles and would like all believers to share their saving faith. Let us pray that even when we have to face lifes greatest tragedies, we will continue to hope, to trust and believe in God’s loving care.