Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
Reading II: 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43
Two individuals approach Jesus with a wish and an expectation. The first person is Jairus, a synagogue official, who was not inclined to run to Jesus, for the teachings of Jesus had upset the Jewish leaders. Jairus, however, set aside religious bickering and approached Jesus. He loved his daughter, and her condition was his main concern. He forgot his position and set out as a father who is willing to sacrifice anything to save his daughter’s life. His dignity and his pride were of no importance. He was used to being respected by people and to granting favors to them, but he realized that only Jesus could help. He was ready to give up a lot, even to leave his daughter behind in critical condition. He was helpless but not desperate, for he had a strong faith in Jesus.
The second individual is a woman. She was equally helpless. Sickness had sapped her strength and healers had emptied her purse. She could not reveal her condition to Jesus for her ailment made her unclean and she should stay away from him. But what she could not do openly, she planned secretly. She must have heard of Jesus, however, and he could work miracles without a show, without drawing attention to himself. She had faith, even a touch would be enough for a new life, and nobody would know.
Efren Tomas
In 2004, Father Efren arrived on Maui, Hawaii to be the Pastor of Christ The King Catholic Church in Kahului, Maui until 2012. He calls Christ The King his home because this was his first parish in Hawaii.
All Posts