Within the scope of today’s first reading and gospel are tragedy and grief and faith and healing … all parts of the lived experience for each of us to one degree or another. In the first reading, we hear of King David’s son, who had betrayed him, ultimately falling prey to Joab.
Hope for Reconciliation
David suffered two losses. The first was the betrayal, but the greater and final was the death of his son, Absalom. King David, like the father of the prodigal son, held out hope for a reconciliation, but on earth, it would not happen.
Today, mothers and fathers still experience estrangement and even betrayal from sons and daughters. And yet, hold out hope for reconciliation, praying as we did in today’s psalm: “Listen, Lord, answer me.” Help bring about healing to our relationship and unity in our family.
Rewarded for their Faith
In the gospel, there are two instances where faith in Jesus leads to physical healing. In each case, the situation is desperate. Jairus’ daughter is near death, and then there is the woman who has suffered a bleeding disorder for twelve years, compounded by unsuccessful, painful, and costly medical treatments to heal her.
Jairus, in the greatest posture of humility, falls at the feet of Jesus and begs him to lay his hands on his daughter to heal her. Likewise, the woman fights her way through the crowd with the belief that if she only touches Jesus’ cloak, she will be healed.
Both Jairus and the woman are rewarded for their faith and hear the words from Jesus we would all like to hear: “… your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” And “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
The Same Jesus Heals Today
The reality is that everyone who faces tragedy and grief needs to believe in the same Jesus who healed the young girl and woman. As I was writing these words last night, I received a text that a neighbor, Mr. Walsh, had gone home to God. His daughter, Diane, had asked me to keep him and their family in prayer over these past weeks.
We prayed that he would be ready when God called him home and that the days he had on earth would be a time of prayer, healing, and love. Not every prayer leads to a healing in the way we would hope for, but every prayer to God leads us to the healing and, peace and love that God knows that we need.
One last thought: Jesus also cared for the basic physical needs of the young girl by telling her family that she should be given something to eat. Jesus knows that amidst our lives on earth, we still need to tend to the basics of life: food, shelter, clothing, sleep, etc. He wants us to live healthy and holy lives of faith so that we help our families, friends, and even strangers to believe in a loving and healing God, even amidst the hard parts of life.
May God bless you and your families this holy day!
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